Page 23 of Radakk's Mate
Before I can respond, he turns and hurries for the hallway. I glance out the viewscreen that’s in his bedroom. It’s about half the size of the one in his living room, but it’s still far larger than the viewscreens in theJansonna’smess halls and recreation rooms.
Nothing appears amiss.
I have a clear view of the human worldship, as well as all the other vessels in the Darrvason fleet. There aren’t any transport vessels zipping about, nor does it look like escape pods have deployed from any of the ships. No sign of weapons fire. Well, we’re not under attack by another alien race. That’s a plus.
I shudder as I recall the one time theJansonnawas attacked during my lifetime. A terrifying experience we’d been fortunate to survive, though our ship still bears damage from that battle.
The pounding and high-pitched ringing cease at once, as well as the red flashing lights, and I soon hear deep voices coming from the entryway. I quietly get to my feet and tiptoe toward the hallway, only to realize I can’t understand what’s being said, though I pick out three distinct male voices, Emperor Radakk’s among them.
I stick my head into the hallway and spot two security officers speaking to the emperor. Their expressions are so grave that I wonder if someone died. Emperor Radakk’s uncle? Oh, I really hope not.
Not wanting to be spotted, I tiptoe back to the chair and wait. The conversation goes on for a few more minutes, and I wonder if I’ll ever learn to speak Darrvason. I’m fluent in Galactic Common as well as English and a few other Earth tongues that are almost forgotten. My duties as a spy required it. But the Darrvason tongue sounds so strange and guttural to my ears, with occasional deep clicks and rolls of the tongue, that I begin to harbor doubts I could ever hope to master it.
Finally, the security officers depart. I hear heavy footsteps followed by the door zipping open and shut.
But Emperor Radakk doesn’t return to his bedroom immediately. Instead, he passes by the door and enters the next room. The room I’m pretty sure is meant to be mine since it’s the room the servant android carried my belongings to. The sounds of the suitcase being opened, drawers being opened and slammed shut, ruffling clothing, and muttering reach me.
What the hell?
He’s searching through my things.
My heart lurches. I didn’t pack that suitcase. Captain Warren did. I’m not even sure it contains my personal belongings from my family’s quarters. What if the captain included contraband of some sort, something I’m not supposed to have aboard theHaxxal? Shit shit shit.
I try to fight back the panic. What if Captain Warren is attempting to set me up? Get me in trouble with the Darrvasons? I wouldn’t put it past the duplicitous fucker. He’s done similar things before. Planted evidence that led to one of his critics being arrested, charged with a terrible crime, and swiftly found guilty and sentenced to death.
Rapid footsteps sound in the hallway.
Emperor Radakk is coming back.
I straighten in the chair, fold my hands on my lap, and try my best to look innocent.
His expression is still grave, but there’s a glimmer of something else in his eyes when he looks at me.
Suspicion? My stomach flips.
Oh God. What was in the suitcase?
“On your feet, little spy.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and now I’m certain it’s suspicion brimming in his gaze.
I swallow hard as I obey, rising on shaky legs. It’s all I can do to keep from lowering my head in a show of guilt. I want to ask why he’d just ransacked my suitcase, but I can’t find my voice.
“Remove your dress, your shoes, and any undergarments you might be wearing.” His face hardens. “Strip completely. Now.”
Chapter13
RADAKK
I waitto see if Thalia obeys my instructions. For her sake, I hope she does. I think of the grim news the security officers just delivered and steel myself to force her to get naked if I must.
“Emperor,” she says in a trembling voice, “I-I don’t understand. Is something wrong?”
I release a snarl, unable to help myself. She flinches and takes a step back, nearly toppling into the chair. I throw my hands out to keep her from falling. Once she’s steady on her feet, I guide her into the center of the room and place my hands on her shoulders.
A spy, I remind myself. She was caught spying in the docking bay. I don’t know anything about her history, but the captain of the worldship clearly considers her a criminal. I protected her from his wrath, but at what cost? What if she’s involved in a larger scheme?
“Emperor?”
Another growl leaves me, but I’m holding onto her so tightly, she can’t pull away from my grasp. “A human female just attacked her mate. She had a hypospray hidden between her thighs, and just when they were getting ready to mate, she injected him with a harmful substance that nearly killed him. Thankfully, he got to the medical bay in time, and our physicians believe they can save him.”
