Page 23 of Resisting the Alien Commander

“Just a minor disturbance,” he says.

“Bullshit.”

He blinks at my curse. “I’m sorry?”

“I said, what a load of bullshit. That wasn’t minor. The whole banquet room could have collapsed on top of everyone. And you’re trying to deflect. It doesn’t take an idiot to know you’re hiding something.”

Horek blinks in an oddly human gesture. “I don’t think you’re an idiot.”

“Then don’t treat me”—I sweep my arms out and glance around—“or any of us like one. We may not be wives yet, but we’re still residents of this city and planet. We deserve to know what really happened just like any other Bohnari.”

I fist my hands at my sides to hide their trembling and try not to vomit. The sound of nineteen women actually gasping echoes loudly around me. God that felt good though. Terrifying, but good. I wouldn’t have dared confront a person of authority like that back in the bottom tier. It isn’t done. Not by anybody unless they want to be punished. Any type of defiance is dealt with swiftly and never fairly. It’s how the upper tier keeps us bottomers in line.

“You are right.” Horek sighs.

Wait, what?

“It isn’t fair that we keep things from any of our people. That includes you.” He scans over all the women before returning to me. “There was an explosion in one of the mines within the mountain. Someone hacked into the computer system and overrode the safety mechanism on a machine we use to excavate precious stones. It overheated which caused an electrical fire. The fire triggered the explosion.”

“Oh no. Was anyone hurt?”

Horek’s shoulders drop. “The mines were shut down for the evening because of the welcome banquet. No one was supposed to be in there, but we found a body.”

Several women gasp, including Olivia, who moves in close enough that our hands brush. My belly hurts like I got punched. Memories of my dad rush in. The taste of blood lingers on my tongue. I didn’t realize I’d bitten it until the pain sets in.

“A—a body?” Nausea hits and I swallow down the vomit.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Horek’s mouth opens slightly, closes, and opens again. “It’s late. You should get some rest. All of you.”

I doubt I’ll be getting any sleep tonight. Already I expect the nightmares to visit me.

Olivia wraps her arm around my shoulders. “C’mon. Let’s head back to our apartments.”

She nods at Horek who gestures for the guards to flank us and leads us through the courtyard to the lift we took to get up here. I tune out the voices and trust Olivia to guide me in the right direction. Before long, we come to a stop and a cool breeze hits my face. My surroundings come into focus. We’re standing in front of our building and a couple guards hold the doors open.

We walk inside and head for the lift. The bell dings and I jump.

“Quinn,” a male voice calls out my name.

I turn and it’s Horek.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No, but thanks for the offer.”

“You can comm me if you need to.”

I nod my appreciation and try to offer a smile but fail miserably, I can tell. Olivia, Devon, Lindsey, and I all step into the lift. My eyes meet Horek’s, but then the door slides closed and he’s gone.

Chapter12

Horek

I don’t like the haunted look in Quinn’s eyes. Of course hearing the news of a death would disturb most people, but her reaction felt personal. Perhaps she is one of those people who feels loss deeply.

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