Page 34 of Zahhn's Mate
Chief Kameer’s eyes gleam with excitement, and I seriously consider punching him in the nose. He’s staring at me like I’m a scientific curiosity and it pisses me thefluxxoff. “Astral projection,” he announces, and not for the first time today, I experience the abrupt sensation of falling. “Project Xeera was a classified experiment established by the former emperor during the war against the Yelltzins. Our brightest minds were able to pinpoint individuals with a predisposition for astral projection, and those males were recruited to become spies and assassins. The project was abandoned not long after the war.”
I remain quiet for a long moment as his words slowly penetrate my consciousness. It all sounds too fantastic, yet I cannot surmise another explanation for the proof on the screens. “I must admit that I believed stories about astral projection were just that—stories. Also, if my soul projected to another ship, doesthat mean my physical body actually remained on theRorrsa? Was it only my soul that traveled? How-how was I able to touch things while on the human worldship?” Well, I suppose the assassins like my father wouldn’t have been very successful if they weren’t able to physically touch objects or other individuals after astral projecting. But the very idea of it defies logic, and my mind struggles to grasp the science behind it.
Chief Kameer shrugs. “I must confess I don’t know how it works, but it’s obvious that an individual who’s astral projecting can physically touch things, whether his body remains elsewhere. All evidence of Project Xeera’s existence has been wiped from the Darrvason database. It’s said a rogue scientist did it after worrying the former emperor was showing too much interest in the project after the war. As you know, the late emperor was experiencing the first signs offorlonggsaand many were worried that he would misuse the information and perhaps even use the remaining assassins against his dissenters.”
How could my father keep such a secret? I’m not only taken aback by Chief Kameer’s revelation, but I’m deeply shocked, so much that I’m now questioning if I ever really knew my father. He was a stoic male who believed in furthering the interests of the Darrvason Empire, though I had little contact with him after the war began. Eventually, not long after the destruction of our homeworld, I received news of his death.
“I am sure this information must come as a shock to you, Doctor Zahhn.” Chief Kameer leans back on his desk and observes the blinking red dot, which remains stationary in Leona’s quarters. “You probably don’t want to answer this question, but I’ll ask anyway. How did you spend your time while onJansonna? Did you interact with anyone? If you did and your unsanctioned presence was reported to the worldship’s authorities or to Officer Brute, who is stationed ontheJansonna, your secret might not remain a secret for much longer.”
I stare at the chief engineer, wondering if I can trust him. As I study his inquisitive expression, I decide he doesn’t project an aura of trickery. Though I do not have any friends, perhaps aside from Emperor Radakk, I consider myself an expert on reading individuals. Years of treating patients and scientific observation have given me a talent for picking up the nuances that would indicate a deceitful temperament.
“I spent the duration of my time on theJansonnain the company of a human female. I encountered no one else and I did not leave her bedroom, therefore, I do not believe my presence on the worldship will be reported. I doubt the female will tell anyone.”Mate. I feel a tug in my chest, and for the briefest moment, I sense her presence. But then it's gone and no matter how hard I try, I cannot reestablish the connection. The yearning to storm the corridors of theJansonnauntil I find her is maddening.
But how could I possibly arrange to travel to the worldship?
“So, you astral projected onto theJansonna, claimed a human female, then this morning you found yourself back on theRorrsa?” The chief’s visage fills with wonderment.
I swallow hard. “It would appear so.”
“Amazing. Truly amazing.” He huffs out a long breath. “Well, I suppose it’s your turn. Time to uphold your end of the deal. Tell me what you’ve discovered about Darrvason-human heartbonds and whether the rumors about Admiral Tornn and his mate are true. I saw you checking messages on your wrist comm as we walked to my office. Surely you must’ve learned something.”
“The rumors are true. A heartbond is indeed forming between Admiral Tornn and his human mate. He’s three or four days into the mating fever, and yes, his ancestral markings have started to appear on his female’s arms. Thus far, noother mating pairs have experienced a similar phenomenon, but Doctor Groaa believes it’s only a matter of time before other couples are affected by the mating fever. I cannot yet explain it, but heartbonds are indeed possible between our people and humans. It’s an extraordinary development, and I’ve been told Emperor Radakk is trying to keep the information a secret for now, as he fears some Darrvason males might attempt to steal human females from theJansonna, particularly our engineers who are stationed on the worldship.”
“Ah, because an unsanctioned mating union would be a direct violation of the Darrvason-human alliance.” Chief Kameer’s eyes twinkle. The bastard is actually teasing me.
“Yes, the emperor would prefer it remains a secret. At least until our engineers return from theJansonna.” I glare at the male as he smirks.
“Fear not, great doctor,” he says. “I will keep your secret. Just please, if you astral project onto theJansonnaagain, try not to let any security officers see you. I’ve been promised a mate, and I don’t want anything to interrupt the next batch of human females we’re set to receive. It’s important that the alliance remains intact.”
“I didn’t astral project on purpose.” I’m still reeling from the revelation of what I’m able to do. A talent that was passed down to me from my father. An ability that defies science. “Nevertheless, I will endeavor to avoid detection. I am eager to see the alliance succeed as well.” But I don’t admit that I’m contemplating loopholes that might allow me to claim Leona and bring her back to theHaxxalas my rightful mate.
Though Chief Kameer appears content to continue our conversation, I make an excuse to leave, and I hastily retreat to my temporary laboratory. I don’t bother trying to reach the docking bay. Not when it’s well-guarded and the shuttles wouldn’t function for me even if I managed to sneak aboard one.
Tonight, I resolve.
I will attempt to astral project into Leona’s quarters tonight.
It’s only by sheer willpower that I’m able to focus on the study I’m conducting. I’m pleased to find the patients have improved markedly overnight. I bark orders at my assistants, and we resume the same treatments that we administered to the patients yesterday.
If I succeed in curingforlonggsa, will Emperor Radakk look the other way when I claim an unsanctioned human female? Would he help smooth over any upset my actions caused?
I work faster as I analyze the latest results of the study, determined to make progress.
Chapter 21
LEONA
The speakeasy is eerilyempty tonight. Only a handful of patrons showed up. There’s no entertainment either. Jenny, as well as other musicians who sometimes visit to share their talents, are all strangely absent. Usually, at least one of them makes an appearance.
Angelo is standing near the entrance, and we exchange an uneasy look. A few of our volunteer workers failed to show up tonight as well.
There’s no denying it. The atmosphere on the ship is becoming more and more tense as the days go by.
I glance at the clock. Almost closing time.
My stomach flips at the prospect of returning to the quarters I share with my father. A virus. I can scarcely believe it. He claims a human woman, one of the thirty, deployed a virus on theHaxxal.
Are Darrvasons getting sick? Are some of them dying?
