Page 4 of Alien Knight Steals the Bride

“Perhaps,” added Dagan thoughtfully, “the Vilitos are stepping up their plans for something else. Something bigger. We know someone in the Council has been shielding them.”

“Or it’s the Council actually orchestrating the whole thing, not just turning a blind eye to it,” Falden added.

“Wait.” Sasha’s blue eyes swirled with blue fire, barely contained within the storm brewing inside her. “The Council? They’re responsible for this?” Fury churned in her gut. “Why would you work for them if you know how bad they are? Why let Earth get involved? Encourage us to trust them?” The crystals that had grown near her hairline sparkled and flashed like a thousand tiny diamonds in the light. The hairs on the back of her neck raised. Her hair danced with electricity.

Falden raised his hands, palms facing out. “Your majesty. We meant you no harm. Let me explain before you roast me.”

Sasha glared. “I’m listening.”

Before explaining, Falden turned to Dagan, his own eyes glaring accusingly as he growled to the king, “I thought you said she stopped removing those crystals.”

Dagan turned toward Sasha, his brows raised in question.

“What?” Sasha grumbled, much of her anger receding along with the fire in her eyes. She was quick to anger and even quicker to forgive. She trusted Dagan. Falden, too. There had to be a good explanation for what they’d done. She’d just been surprised. She would have to be more careful now that she was producing so much energy. Keep a tighter rein over her emotions. “I’d never ‘roast’ either one of you,” she said with a small smile, “but I had to give your men a few crystals. Their swords don’t work properly without them. Besides, I still have so many left, a few here and there don’t seem to make much difference, especially since I’ve been working on those control exercises Falden gave me. So, please continue with your explanation and stop fussing over me.”

Both men shook their heads. Falden sighed. “Very well. There are thousands of representatives on the Council, each one representing a different planet. The Council was designed for the benefit of all. For years, we have suspected that someone on the Council has been making deals outside of the Council’s best interests. Deals on the blood market.”

Dagan continued when Falden paused for breath. “I decided sending my people out here, agreeing to provide security for Earth, would be the best way to protect your planet. Not everyone on the Council wants Earth to have a seat at the table.”

Sasha listened intently, completely engrossed in the story. “Why not? We’re no threat. Our technologies can’t compete with theirs.”

“But you have other things some of them want,” Falden disagreed. “Resources.”

“Why not just trade for them?” she asked. “Isn’t that the point of Earthjoiningthe intergalactic market?”

“Because trading for these particular resources on your planet was deemed illegal eons ago, and until your planet was officially recognized as part of the Intergalactic Trading community, pilfering from your planet was much easier and carried minimal consequences if they were caught doing it.”

“Eons?” Sasha put a hand over her thundering heart. “Did you say eons? What do they want? What have they taken?”

“It varies by planet. Some want raw materials. Minerals and such. Others are interested in products rich in fibrin.”

“Fibrin? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Fibrinogen is a protein present in the blood plasma of all vertebrates. Without going into detail, fibrin is responsible for blood clotting. Now that your scientists have perfected a process for pathogen-reduced cryogenic blood withconcentratedfibrin, they’ll want it even more. The healing effects of this particular cryo-blood are phenomenal. Nearly instantaneous. There are people from other planets who would pay a very high price for it.”

Sasha nodded, her heart in her throat. “They want our minerals and our blood but you’re here to stop them?”

“Yes,” both men affirmed.

A single tear slid down her cheek. “Thank you.”

Dagan wrapped her in his arms, and Falden bowed slightly from the waist.

Falden grimaced. “And now I fear the Yielding may have unleashed another threat to the people of Earth. The ceremony not only transformed Sasha, it transformed the way the Council members view Earth and its people.

Dagan tensed. “The Yielding saved us both, and consequently many others who would have perished in the attack. You saved us. I am forever grateful. We have no regrets. We will catch those responsible. I have assigned units from the base as well as the Lumerian Knights to take care of that.”

“I have complete confidence in our ability to protect this base. My concern is for the two of you and finding Torrin and Sevron. Our job would be made easier if you were to return to Caldor. Immediately. Today.”

“She’s not ready to leave, Lumerian. I told you not to push her,” rumbled Dagan angrily.

“I think I understand,” Sasha interjected, squeezing Dagan’s arm lovingly before turning fully toward Falden and straightening her shoulders. “I’ve been thinking about this a lot. You mean, now that I’ve been changed, now that I have these gifts”—she gently rubbed the band across her forehead where she knew the crystal-like skin sparkle, “there will be others who want to control me. Use me.”

“Yes. Others. Vermin who will do anything to capture you. Experiment on you.” Falden’s eyes narrowed. “Dissect you to find out how a human is able to generate and wield such power. Why you now have markings. News travels fast, my queen. It’s only a matter of time before someone decides to come after you.”

“Then make sure we’re ready for it,” Dagan commanded. “You and I both know that when Commander Bashall died, Torrin most likely did, as well.” Dagan pounded his fist in frustration on the nearby table. “I still can’t believe Torrin never told us he was a twin, or how you didn’t know about it. I thought you looked into his background?” Dagan rolled his shoulders in frustration. “I didn’t know Sevron, but Torrin has been with us for years. Until I see his body, we have to keep looking. For both of them.”

“We’re still going through the wreckage. Wemustfind Commander Bashall’s remains. We never stopped searching for Torrin. No matter how long it takes, they both must be found. If they’re dead, my Lumerian brethren and I will be forced to act. Come out of hiding to exact retribution.” Falden’s ice blue eyes held deadly promise.

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