Page 94 of Victoria's Discovery

“Ok.” She didn’t really understand what that meant, but now wasn’t the time to ask. “I need to check you for weapons, Eseh.”

She heard her guys make sounds of alarmed objection, but Aria cut in before they could move to intervene. “Sit. She’s got this.”

Whether she did actually have this or not waited to be seen, but Aria’s confidence went a long way in boosting her own.

Gazing up at Eseh, she waited until they dipped their chin, then guided them so they were facing away from the table, just in case they were naked under the cloak.

Face blank and eyes fixed over her head, Eseh opened the cloak, revealing a bare body covered in too many scars to count. Victoria swallowed and did a quick scan for weapons, but there were none and nowhere to hide any. She got hung up for a second on the complete lack of genitalia, their groin as smooth as a Ken doll, but only for a second.

“That’s good. Thank you, Eseh.”

They met her gaze, appearing startled at the thanks, and closed the cloak with jerky movements.

“Here’s food and water for you. If you’ll have a seat, Ar– er, Vhraress has some questions.”

As soon as they were seated, in true, straightforward Aria fashion, she started right in. “How did you find out about us?”

Chapter 45

Eseh answered every question, not once showing the slightest sign of impatience or frustration as Aria relentlessly interrogated them. She asked things Victoria wouldn’t have even thought of.

Everything from where they came from and how long they’d been on the planet to layouts to their Master’s lounge and a detailed account of how they’d escaped was asked, then reworded, and asked again.

They learned Eseh found out about them in a dream, what they called aSighting, of the person who was apparently destined to be their mate. They’d seen that person here, speaking with Aria. When Eseh saw Aria’s face they’d recognized her immediately and began making plans to escape.

The only question Eseh wouldn’t or couldn’t answer was who their supposed mate was. No matter how hard Aria pressed, they shook their head, shrinking in on themselves a little more every time she asked, but they held strong. Finally, Kix laid his hand on Aria’s arm and murmured something in her ear. After that she let it go.

Then came more pointed questions of security layouts, population numbers of the city, descriptions of other Masters and Overlords they’d seen visiting, if and how they tracked slaves, if they used a different method of slave storage other than stasis pods, and a dozen other things.

Finally, Aria sat back and fell silent.

Victoria took the break to close her eyes and quickly go back over everything that had been said. She’d always had a good memory, but doing a mental recap helped her retain large amounts of information. Since the computer had been ordered to lockdown the room, that meant there’d be no recording of the meeting, so she needed to remember as much as possible.

“Alright. Eseh, if you wouldn’t mind having a seat on one of the couches over there?”

They retreated with a deferential bow of their head, giving the table the privacy needed to discuss things without talking about them as if they weren’t there. It was a small thing and done out of politeness alone considering they’d likely still be able to hear them. Judging from Eseh’s expression, they understood. Victoria caught the respect and admiration in Eseh’s moss green eyes and smiled.

Looks like the Aria Fan Club is getting a new member.

As soon as Eseh was seated, Aria glanced at Kix.

“I sense no subterfuge, no malice. He knew I was looking, yet his thoughts remained open.”

Aria flicked a look at Eseh before frowning at Kix. “He?”

“Yes, he is technically genderless. From what I gathered, they go through a transformation when they meet their mate. What they develop into depends on the gender and orientation of their fated. I say ‘he’ as that is what he hopes to become.”

“Gotcha.” Blowing out a breath, she let her hand fall to her side, absently stroking the gun strapped there. “This dreaming-of-us business is worrying. I’d hoped to keep our revolt a secret longer than three weeks, but on a world with telepaths and… whatever the hell you call his ability, I don’t know how much longer we’ve got.”

Rellik shrugged. “I am surprised word has not gotten out sooner. But I believe we are safe yet. Telepathy among the higher class is rare to my knowledge, and the slaves who have yet to be Veiled have developed a rather successful system of communicating without their Masters finding out.”

“If word gets out, and we have more slaves show up like Eseh there, it won’t matter how good they are at communicating in secret. Somebody’s going to notice.”

Victoria noticed Rellik glance at Kix when Aria rolled her shoulders and wondered at it… until he got up and moved to stand behind her chair much the way Vi’kail was standing behind Victoria’s. Looking as nervous as a long-tailed cat on a porch full of rocking chairs, he hesitantly reached out and began massaging Aria’s shoulders. When she didn’t stop him, instead closed her eyes and leaned back into him, he gradually relaxed.

Peeking at Thrasin, a silent, intimidating presence leaned against the wall behind Aria, Victoria caught the look of envy that passed over his harsh features, but she could see the wheels were turning in his white eyes.

Gonna have to step up your game, Growly. Rellik is outpacing you.

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