Page 41 of Heart’s Prisoner

She started to laugh softly to herself as she imagined what it be like to see him in a suit tailored for him (if even possible) walking around, trying not to smack his tail against people's back-sides, complaining it was too packed as he towered over everyone, grumbling as he went. He wouldn't dance even if she begged him. But he would watch her. He'd try one of the wines per her request and end up accidentally shattering the glass in his tight grip. She would have to take him to the bathroom to get cleaned.

It was an odd fantasy but for whatever reason she let it play out in her head. She looked down at the bracelet on her wrist and fingered the charms, smiling.

"I tell yea, If I had been on that mission, there's no way that thing would still be around. Sure they were happy to get it alive but, come on, what couldn't you find out just by dissecting it?"

Lana heard this to her right and spotted Galger and General Vearez talking by a pillar. Quickly she stepped behind it so they wouldn't catch her watching them.

"I mean, okay sure, they could learn where the fuck the rest of em are and that be good for us, ya know, so if shit hit the fan we could be ready for any kind of war. Blow them out of the water before they got to us or something. But ya, the damage that thing did on 421...shit. Straight terrorist tactics. We've seen it all, sir, let me tell ya."

"It is disappointing that after months we still have no good intel on the subject," General Vearez said. "No clue of its home whereabouts. We did have a team scan every bit of that hell planet and didn't find a trace."

"All I'm saying is I've talked to Officer Torrence, the head of security. He wants that thing dead too. But I've been thinking lately that we should maybe wait on that, ya know?"

General Vearez got closer to the officer and Lana had to focus hard to hear them.

"What are you thinking?" Vearez said.

"I'm thinking we don't blow it's head off just yet. They've been trying this whole time to play good cop with it but I think it's time to switch gears. And I think I can be the one to get it to talk."

Lana didn't hear anything after that as they began to speak too low but she could guess what they were planning. Like a sleepwalker, she moved back to the table and picked up her purse.

"Lana, hey where have you been?" Nicole waved at her as she stood by a group of friends. Her expression grew concerned and she moved toward her. "Hey, is everything okay?"

Lana swallowed hard. "I...um...I'm so sorry about this but I think I'm going to head off."

"Okay. Will you tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm just...not feeling well."

Nicole's expression went from concern to nearly horrified, her tone turning gravely serious. "What symptoms are you feeling? Do you feel dizzy? Confused?"

Lana looked at her strangely but just shook her head. "No, no, nothing like that. I just...I just need to be alone. I'm sorry."

The relief on Nicole's face wasn't hard to miss. "No problem, Lana, of course. I will be just fine here. You take care, okay?"

"Thanks, Nicole."

Lana didn't miss a beat taking her leave. She would have searched for Jacob but when she couldn't find him right away she decided to just speak with him later. She made for the elevators at breakneck speed, making sure to avoid Galger or any of the generals.

***

As Lana came to her door, she paused before opening it. As much as she wanted to leave the gala, she also came to realize she didn't want to be alone in this moment. Afraid the frustration and anxiety might consume her as soon as she walked into her lonely little unit, she feared to walk inside and be taken unwillingly into that black abyss.

Leaning against the door, she took a few deep breaths, then let out a cry and hit the metal siding with her fist. She turned over, leaning against the wall. She could feel tears welling up but she refused to let them fall. She blinked several times to dry her eyes then bowed her head. When she caught the gleam of her new bracelet, she rose her hand up and rubbed the charms between her fingers. For a long moment, she just stared at it, thinking of everything and nothing.

She really didn't care for jewelry. She'd likely never wear the thing again. It would just collect dust in some corner of her room.

She thought again for a long moment then a smile slowly pulled at her lips. He might be annoyed but Xerus never refused any of her gifts before.

Without even going to her room to change, Lana went back to the elevators and this time pushed the button for twelve.

When she got to the security desk she pulled out her security badge from her little purse and, though David gave her a weird look, he let her through. She went across the central lab, straight for Torrence's desk.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He said in greeting.

"I'd like into unit three, please."

Torrence looked her over, a lot longer than usual. When he was still sure he was unsatisfied by her in some way, he leaned back in his chair. "You're off the clock."

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