Page 9 of Captured By the Scaled Outlaw
“Nilsan is currently poisoning the Sandpit Snake habitat, similar to Misya Swamp, for a railway expansion. The area you’ve already surveyed carries only a trace amount of the toxin and will be dismissed on your initial analysis. However, the amount of the chemical applied to the area will be amplified onceyou leave.” He holds a hand up to halt my impending interruption. “I have solid intel from a spy to corroborate.”
I roll my eyes, but Lowell continues nonetheless, tilting his head up to look through the dome’s glass panes.
“The Sandpits are not extinct,yet, and have migrated to an area outside of the railway’s construction zone. If the railway is built, the pollution created by the train will spread to their place of migration, killing them off entirely. Sandpits don’t have filters in their lungs, but I’m sure you already know that, since you think you already know everything,” he says snidely.
I shoot Lowell an incredulous look before responding. “Even if any of that is true, what the hell do you want me to do about it? I’ve been demoted. I have no power anymore.”
Lowell scowls. “I don’t give a shit about what you can do in Nilsan. I brought you here to fix the Sandpits’ current habitat before the start of the railway construction in forty days. I may not be able to stop Nilsan, so I need the expertise of someone who specializes in habitat adaptation.” He pauses, squinting at me skeptically. “To remind you, I have your background records, so don’t try to lie about it.”
He’s correct — I specialized in habitat adaptation in harsh conditions in college. Of course, now, standing here captive, I almost regret having gained that knowledge.
I shrug, eyebrow raised. “You expect me to do this by myself inforty days? Why don’t you have the same people who designed the rehabilitation for the Hookhead Stork habitat do it?”
“They’re not here anymore,” he says, looking me up and down.
I match his scowl with my own. “Why, did you eat them?”
Lowell chortles, amusement shifting his lips into a smirk. “Would you believe me if I told you that a Nilsanian defector provided aid for that project?”
My brows lift in shock. “Absolutely not. Nilsanians are as loyal asthey come.”
Lowell leans forward, smug. “Then I ate them. Satisfied by that answer?”
I rub the heel of my palm into my eye socket, groaning. “This is ridiculous. I’m one person. I can’t do this alone.”
“You’re going to have to if you want to live,” he replies, baring his teeth.
The fear I felt before is gone, irritation in its place. These terrorists have no idea what they are asking of me or even what they want me to do. I can’t negotiate with nonsense.
“The desert is an unforgiving place. It doesn’t like to be changed,” I explain. “I can only give you as much information as I have, and with that said, I don’t foresee anything changing in such a short time frame. If I provide multiple solutions, that should be more than enough to warrant my release. You don’t need my labor or direction if you have schematics.”
Lowell’s tongues brushes over his teeth, shifting his weight between his legs. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion on the matter. I gave you your choices.”
I flick the dried blood from my face, my brows knitting together. “What choices? Certain death if I refuse, or possible death if I accept?”
Lowell smiles insincerely. “Look at you, finally getting it.”
I clench my teeth, a scream building in my throat. Not only is he a lunatic, but he’s bratty, too.
“I don’t want any part of this. When I return to Nilsan, I’ll be branded a traitor if I’m at all associated with Gaia 4, under duress or not,” I say, my voice wavering with anger.
Leaning forward, Lowell hovers over me, flames licking his iris. “Damn, you really think I care what happens to you afterward, don’t you? Not sure what gave you that impression.” He laughs in my face. “You know, I thought you’d be chomping at the bit to save the Sandpit’s,given your sappy little back-ground.”
“You don’t know me, asshole,” I snap.
Lowell revels in knowing he hit a nerve, his smirk growing wide. “I know your parents left you. That you volunteered in conservation efforts for your entire life, and that your grandma died before you could disappoint her with your ethical probation—”
Pain throbs in my head at the mention of Grandma onhislips. “Shut up!” I shout, my jaw tight. “I work within the law. I’m not just some mindless dog of the government. I madeonemistake.One.Don’t youdaretell me who I am to try to justify your blatant terrorism.”
Lowell snorts, intrigued by my outburst. “That’s quite the outburst, considering you’ve never considered my position.”
“You’re a criminal. I have no need to understand you.”
The vain look on Lowell’s face irritates me further, my blood boiling so hot that I wouldn’t be surprised if it steamed.
At my reaction, he chuckles softly. “The profile my spies put together refers to you ascollectedandrigid, but you are much fierier and more combative.” He hunches to be at eye-level with me, a darkened look peering through his sparse eyelashes. “I like that.”
A flush burns my cheeks, replacing the combustion of rage with a gentle smolder.
