Page 4 of Space for More

It’s useless. By the time anyone came to see what the commotion was, I’d probably already be dead.

“What the fuck are you doing here? Why did you follow me?” I hiss at the intruders, rubbing my wrists and backing away from my assailant.

“We needed to speak with you, Mezli. Or should I say Princeps Mezlitrasta val Frye?”

My heart stops when I hear my full name. Who the hell are these guys and how do they know who I am?

When I ran away from home to Spire, I was terrified and naive, but I’d at least had enough forethought to use a fake name. The second a docking official heard the name Frye, I’d have been flagged in the station’s system as a “visiting diplomat” and my chances at a fresh start and freedom would’ve vanished. So I spent the majority of the credits I’d brought with me to convince a shady seladin on my transport to sell me a fake ID. I’ve been Mezli val Grisa since. At least until these people showed up at my home.

“That’s not my name,” I say, attempting to keep my tone even despite the shock. Are they here to take me home? I’d thought my mothers would’ve accepted my leaving years ago, but maybe I underestimated their need to have me under their thumbs.

“Lies aren’t necessary, Princeps Frye,” the pale green ankite sitting on my couch says. “As my colleague here said, we’re not here to harm you.”

“I suppose you can’t damage the goods, my mothers might dock your pay,” I say, my heavy sigh fluttering my bangs.

“Your mothers have no bearing on this conversation, Princeps Frye,” the asshole ankite behind me says, their orange skin flushed red from the exertion of restraining me.

“Then why the hell are you here? Because I’m not going back!” The thought of being whisked back to a life of playing the perfect, placid princeps makes my stomach roil and a panicked sweat bead on my neck.

My terrible date rolls their eyes at me again. “If you’d stop talking for a moment, I can explain. No one is making you go back home or telling your mothers anything.”

Relief floods through me and I open my mouth to tell them that I have every right to talk as much as I want when my home has been invaded by strangers, but they hold their hand up to stop me. “That is, no one needs to find out you’re hereifyou help us.”

Fuck.

4

It takes the intruders explaining themselves slowly to me multiple times until my panicked brain can digest the information. “So let me get this straight. You want me to work with this human and act like some kind of spy to catch a potential criminal in the act of handing off illicit goods? Are you insane? No!”

“Princeps Frye, your cooperation with us for this endeavor is paramount. Lives may be at stake,” the ankite sitting across from where I’ve sunk down to sit on the floor says calmly. Agent Tysea. They have pale green skin and kind, generic features that begin to sharpen to match some of mine as we speak. A classic tactic from the changeling-like species—appear more visually appealing to put others at ease. This one doesn’t realize it does the opposite for me. Ican’t stand false appearances after growing up part of Nexxa Itat’s nobility.

“Call me, Mezli,” I bite back at them in annoyance.

“If that is not sufficient motivation, please bear in mind that you emigrated to Spire Station using a fabricated identification and have committed multiple violations of station laws during your time here. As agents of the Consortium, we have the right to inform interested parties on Nexxa Itat of your presence, as well as seek legal recourse for your crimes,” adds Agent Asshole. I refuse to remember the name of the person who faked a date with me and then followed me home so they could harass me to do my civic duty.

Ugh, it’s just my luck that my home invaders are Xi Consortium agents rather than run-of-the-mill mercs looking to extort a noble. Extortion would’ve been easier to deal with. I have enough connections that I could’ve found a way to pay them off. After seeing their badges to confirm they’re legitimate Consortium agents, my fear of harm has subsided, but my anger at my discovery and their interference in my new life has tripled.

“Like I’m the only person who’s ever used a fake ID! You’d have to prosecute a quarter of Spire if you’re going to use that against me in court. As for law violations, name one! I’ve done nothing wrong. You’re just trying to scare me,” I say, scowling at Agent Asshole.

The fidgety human woman with freckled beige skin and a mane of black curls who says her name is Eden—no “agent” as a prefix—flushes and gives me a slight smile, the crooked upturn of her mouth surprisingly charming. “From what I overheard them saying…indecent exposure. Public lewdness. Multiple times.”

Shit, I didn’t think anyone had caught those things. My confidence that they’ve got nothing on me wobbles, but I keep it from showing on my face. Maybe there’s still a way to get out of thisnonsense. Though all that’s running through my head right now is a loop of the look on my mothers’ faces when they find out their precious daughter has turned up and has a bunch of station violations to her name.

Agent Tysea’s enormous eyes lock onto mine solemnly. “Princeps Frye, we only wish to make it clear to you how necessary your aid is. You will not be in any danger, and it should only take a few days of your time if things go smoothly. A week if any complications arise.”

“You said that people might die. How the fuck is that safe for me?! Is this human supposed to be my bodyguard? She doesn’t exactly look equipped to protect herself, let alone me.”

Agent Tysea flinches slightly at my shrill retort, and the human looks ill after I speak. “No offense,” I add in a gentler tone to Eden. Poor girl, I bet they roped her into this just like they’re trying to do to me.

Agent Asshole shakes their head at me as if I’m a petulant child. I can’t believe I found this dick attractive enough to go on a date with. “If we can’t prevent the exchange of the black market schematics, yes, people may die. That doesn’t mean you or Dr. Mori will be in any danger.”

I huff out an exasperated sigh and throw my upper hands up. “Okay fine, whatever. I still don’t see why, of all the people you could pick to play pretend for you, you chose me and a random human.”

Agent Tysea clears their throat slightly. “Dr. Mori was selected because of her professional background. You, Princeps Frye, are a member of the third noble house of Nexxa Itat. Your social standing, whether you choose to avail yourself of it or not, is what we need. The suspected smuggler of illegal schematics is a member of nexxitnobility.”

I blink slowly at them as a wry smile twists my lips. “If you want some polished socialite to charm this person, you’ve come to the wrong place. Look at me.” My lower arms gesture down at my body while the upper ones reach out as if showing off my humble apartment.

This earns me a sigh from Agent Asshole. “Agent Tysea is trying to be delicate so as not to offend you, Princeps Frye?—”

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