Page 96 of Kissed By the Alien
The woman turns and leaves, not questioning her husband. My Lexi would not only question but would want to analyze and solve.
“We recently learned that there were more than women stolen from Earth during the occupation. Entire families, but only those who had at least one daughter. Never a childless couple or a family with only sons. The slavers delivered them to a planet we have yet to locate.”
“We?”
“I found the patterns on Earth. Women taken for sexual slavery or forced marriages were only a part of what was happening between the og’dals and the Coalition. I’ve been in contact with Galactic Intelligence which confirmed a link between the og’dal slavers and a race called Cendagi.”
“I’m quite familiar with the Cendagi.”
“Then you know they are dangerous. Cunning. We believe the og’dals sold entire families to the Cendagi. It’s why I’m here, Warrior. To help find our people. I was given the position of ambassador so I could research and travel if necessary. And... for my protection and my family’s.”
“You thought I was a danger to your daughter?”
“Not you. The og’dals know about me, which is why I fear the cendagi do, too. And Lexi?—”
“She’s the right age of the women targeted. And they could use her against you.”
“Yes, on both counts. The plan to move to Zyan was in place before she met you. I decided it would be best not to tell Lexi we were leaving Earth. Every person who knew became a security risk, and Lexi is quite close with Vivienne, who does not keep secrets. As for Lexi, I thought once she knew we were heading to Zyan, she would settle down. I told her you would come here, but by then she no longer believed anything I said.”
“You didn’t notify me. I’ve been searching Earth between assignments.”
“The ZDC said they would notify you of her location once they were sure you weren’t being followed by og’dals or cendagi. For our protection.”
This explains why they’ve had me running from planet to planet on small jobs that any warrior could do. “They should have told me.”
“There is talk of a leak. In Galactic Intelligence.”
The pieces are falling into place. Those og’dals knew I’d be in Los Angeles looking for them, which is why they changed the location of their drop to San Francisco. And why I’ve been told not to contact Galactic Intelligence.
“I will find Lexi.”
“She slipped her detail in the middle of the night. I don’t know where she is or what she’s planning,” her father says, a dour expression filling his face. This is not the controlling man I met on Earth, but a worried father.
He wants Lexi found.
And I think I know where to find her…
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
LEXI
Ihave no idea where I’m going. If I’d known we were coming to Zyan, I would have spent most of the journey learning the language. But no, my father thought it would be best to keep every fucking detail a secret. He’s still treating me like I’m a child.
I crash into the tall male in front of me. He turns and slings some choice words at me. At least I think that’s what he’s doing. Making assumptions without knowing anything about the language can be dangerous.
All right, Lexi. Pretend this is Earth. Same rules apply here as in going to Europe or Asia. Be polite, smile, and observe.
I throw him a smile. “I’m sorry I bumped into you,” I say in Common, hoping he’ll understand. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. I’m a bit lost.”
The male’s horns bend back. A good sign. My confidence rises. I’ve got this. I can do this. Iwillfind my way back to Earth and to Lutan, as long as I stay calm and use my head.
“Your Common is very good,” the male says with a thick accent.
“I wasn’t sure if anyone here speaks Common.” I flash another smile. “Again, my apologies for bumping into you.”
“Are you lost, human?”
“Yes. I got turned around somewhere. I’m looking for the port.”
