Page 27 of Heart’s Prisoner

Lana nodded, her throat tightening.

"Look, I'm gonna tell you now before they mention it down at twelve. In a month's time, other top generals and myself will be coming together to assess the projects and work of each level. If you can gain Asset X's trust enough in that time and show he is capable of being trusted by us, we will be able to talk over the next phase. Which could be to give him more freedom."

"You'd let him out of the cell?" Lana barely breathed.

Jacob shrugged. "Maybe give him some time out of it. Or maybe even move him out of twelve altogether, into something more accommodating. It all depends on how convinced the others and myself are. And that will be up to you to decide."

Lana's dark mood finally began to lift.

"But that still means you need to be careful. He's still considered hostile. But if he starts cooperating, we can try to reward him for good behavior, you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, of course, you got it." Lana took up her drink and offered it to him. "Thank you, Jacob."

Jacob gave her a quick little smirk, took the glass, and drank it down.

Chapter Eight

The room was red again. Lana stood rigid in the center, her chair and table gone. She couldn't remember changing the lights.

The glass window loomed before her, it seemed oddly larger than usual. Oddly unnerving. With the pool of blood rippling over it like water. Then, like a shark drifting closer to the surface, a giant shadow of a monster appeared.

Lana lifted the screen and came face to face with...

"Xerus," Lana spoke the name but it sounded muffled, like an echo.

The alien looked down at her with a cold, unfeeling stare. His face dark, his eyes like fire being sucked into a black hole. There was darkness there. So much darkness.

"Seefri rishak iridis."

Lana shook her head, not understanding him. Xerus growled low, baring his sharp teeth at her. His spiked tail curled and weaved behind him. He tilted his head.

"Drifa xeris refadi nimadin."

Lana shook her head again.

"Why are you here?"

The voice and tone made Lana's heart turn cold. It was her father's. Why, why did he speak like him?

"Why are you here?" Xerus repeated.

Lana let out a soft whimper. She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. She began to cry.

"I don't know...I don't." Lana couldn't think why.

Another growl ripped through the room and Lana winced.

"Run."

Lana's eyes shot up and terror welled in her as she watched the glass melt away. Xerus bent his head low and stepped out of the cell. Unable to even scream, Lana turned and fled for the door.

It wouldn't open. She banged her fists and cried but it was sealed.

She felt Xerus' breath on her neck and her terror turned wild.

She turned and his hellfire eyes met hers.

"Xe lathari Nikara," He hissed. He raised his sharp hand toward her and Lana trembled so bad she bit her lip, tasting blood. Xerus' taloned finger grazed her cheek. It felt like a blade brushing against her skin.

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