Page 73 of Captured
Sara’s voice trails off, then dies altogether. Her face remains the same, but I see the way her eyes shrink at the corners. She understands my suspicion.
“We’re all so proud of you.” The woman’s face remains the same, but there’s a glint in her gaze that’s cold and calculating. “The Rebellion needs you.”
I cast a glance around the deserted hallways, then look at Sara. She remains silent as I shake my head and we both take a subtle step back.
“The Pearl is the biggest ship I’ve ever seen. It’s like a maze in here, I bet even Drakians get lost sometimes,” I say. I feel Sara getting closer behind me. “How did you know where to find Sara?”
Governor Taylor stills and her lips fall.
“Is that any way to thank the woman who came to rescue you from those Drakian brutes?” Governor Taylor shoots a quick glance over her shoulder at the empty hallways. “Look what they did to the Freedom. They’re monsters. You can’t trust them with your father’s data frame.”
I blink and it all becomes clear.
“The Drakians would never betray the Rebellion.” I speak easily, my voice loud and clear, my training falling into place. Every detail becomes crystal clear, from the smoke rolling through the hallway to the tick agitating the corner of the woman’s eye. “And you might be Governor Taylor, but you’re no Rebel. You’re working with the Black Star. You’re working for the Senators.”
Sara and I take another step back toward the smoke. Toward the Drakians. Toward Rakir and Darhk. Toward safety.
Governor Taylor’s smile falls down like the mask it was, revealing the ugliness behind.
“Good to know I don’t have to pretend anymore.” She jerks her chin and slides her hand inside her vest, pulling out a small blaster, then points it directly at me. “Now, let’s get back to my ship before those Drakians find us.”
“We’re not going anywhere with you,” Sara hisses at my back, her voice shrill. “I suggest you run away while you can. All we have to do is scream and the Drakians will come.”
“Scream?” Governor Taylor laughs, the sound dry and cruel. “There’s no one to hear you scream, little girl.”
“Why are you doing this?” Sara asks, her fingers closing around my arm, digging in my flesh. “Are you working for my father?”
There’s terror in Sara’s voice as she mentions her father, some dark, primal fear that shatters my heart.
“Your father is nothing but an old fool.” Governor Taylor lifts her lips exposing her tiny, yellowing teeth. “The people I’m working for have a real plan. As soon as we get our hands on that List, we’re going to unite the Senators and take control of the Human Alliance. Then we’ll finally be able to get rid of the real problem in the Galaxy. The Drakians.”
“You’re insane.” I say. “You can’t hope to kill all Drakians.”
This is bigger than anything I might have imagined. A fracture in the Senator’s rank, yes, but a fanatical hard line bent on the annihilation of the only other sentient species in the known Universe is not something I ever expected.
But as I glance at Sara, I see she did. She knows exactly what Governor Taylor is talking about.
“You will never win.” Sara shakes her head, her face and eyes turning hard. “Once the Drakians expose you for what you are, humanity will rise against you. Neither my father nor the people you work for can stop it.”
Governor Taylor tilts her head to the side.
“I need you alive to open the data frame, Sara, but I have no such obligation to your friend here. Now, either you come with me willingly or I will kill her, then I will take you anyway. I need you alive, but no one says I need you alive and well. All I need is a beating heart.”
Sara’s shoulders slump just a bit, then she looks at me. There’s a small moment where I think Sara is going to throw it all to the wind and fight anyway, but she shakes her head.
“I’m so sorry, Juliet. None of this is your fault.”
“It’s okay.” I answer. “Rakir and Darhk will come for us.”
They will. I might still not fully understand the Drakian that has stolen my heart, but I know he will not give up on me.
But as we step in front of Governor Taylor like lambs to the slaughter, I’m not so sure he will be fast enough.
