Page 15 of Venomous Heart
Then he turned his back on her and left, disappearing into the night.
Ava stayed there as the fog lifted from her mind. Her fingers went to her lips as she stared blankly at the darkness into which Arlen had disappeared.
Then she realized that things were going to an all new level of shitty.
5
Arlen
The human male shook his head with stubborn pride, and Arlen restrained his impulse to grab him by the scruff of the neck and shake some sense into him.
“This is not open to negotiation, Representative Jonah.” He didn’t try to hide his irritation and showed his fangs in a warning hiss. The human took a step back, nearly toppling over a chair. “There is no choice. All humans will relocate to the Tower. It’s the best way to ensure their safety, and their safety is my mission.”
“And those who refuse?” Jonah regained his composure but his eyes kept straying to the door. He was scared, but not enough to shut up. “Those who refuse to leave their homes?”
When will these humans learn? They’re far too stubborn for their own good.
“They will answer to me. Whether they want to or not, it will be done, but your assistance as their elected representative will make it much easier. And much less traumatic, should I have to intervene by force. Knut scattered a hundred buildings to house humans all over the surface of Aveyn. What was a great idea for him makes it impossible to ensure their safety now. If they all live in the same building, it will be much easier to keep them safe. Then you and I can focus on more important things.”
“What could be more important than forcefully displacing people out of their homes?” The look in Jonah’s eyes told Arlen all he needed to know. This mission wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d thought.
“Farming, raising animals.” As Arlen spoke, Jonah’s expression changed. “Humans can’t keep relying on Eoks to provide them with those rations you’ve been eating. You need to be able to feed yourselves. Aveyn is a rich planet, you can produce all the food you need, you just need to learn how.”
“And you will help us?” Jonah’s face was still incredulous, but he wasn’t rejecting the idea—far from it. There was a sudden interest in his eyes, in his entire demeanor. He seemed to know this was key to the humans’ survival. “Why?”
“How can a people be safe if they can’t feed themselves?”
Arlen stared down at the human until the other male swallowed, then nodded, once. He didn’t seem happy about the relocation, but at least he understood the truth in what Arlen was saying.
“We will start with the Southern Hemisphere, Fourth Quadrant.” Arlen studied his screen, on which all the residential facilities were identified by green lights on a map. “The farthest and most isolated first, then we work our way back.”
Since Jonah didn’t contradict him, Arlen turned to his Relany officer, who was staring at his screen, a carefully neutral expression on his face.
“We will give them notice to be ready in a week’s time,” Arlen said to Jonah. “It will be better if you stand beside me to reassure them.”
Jonah came to stand beside him and the Relany officer worked on his control panel.
“Officer Shetak, set up communication with Facility Twenty-One.”
Seconds passed and Officer Shetak turned a concerned frown Arlen’s way. “The communication attempt has failed.”
“Try again.” Arlen clicked his tongue impatiently. “This is the most remote facility on Aveyn. The signal must have been interrupted by interference.”
“That’s just it, Commander Arlen.” Officer Shetak’s voice was thin, and the concern was clear on his drawn features. “The signal wasn’t lost. It was cut off.”
“Again. Send it again.”
Silence descended on the room as Officer Shetak pounded on his controls. “It’s been cut off again.”
Arlen straightened, then turned to Jonah. “This is treason.” Anger ran cold in his veins as he focused on the human male. “Your action has directly put dozens of human lives in danger. As commander in charge of security, I have the authority to arrest you.”
Arlen jerked his head to the Relany officer, who quickly grabbed his commu-link.
“No!” Jonah interrupted, placing himself between Arlen and the officer. At one nod from Arlen, the Relany stopped his communication. “This is not my doing. Why would I instruct those people to cut off communication with the main base?”
“Because you still don’t trust us.” Arlen studied the human’s face, his features easily read. He was genuinely scared, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t betrayed Arlen. “And because you think humans will be safer on their own. You cannot be more wrong.”
Jonah swallowed and for a moment, Arlen thought the human would defy him, but then he inclined his head in surrender.
