Page 52 of Zahhn's Mate
I jump out of the huddle of women and open the door, ignoring their cries for me to stop. Zahhn is standing outside the cell, panting breathlessly as he looms over the dead Grozznolan mercenary.
There’s a commotion at the end of the corridor, then I hear running. But there are no more screams, and I sense the danger is over. Zahhn confirms my suspicions when his voice echoes in my head.
All is well, human female, he says with a glance at his wrist comm.The very last mercenary was just slain.His eyesbore into mine, and he takes a step closer. But the approaching footsteps grow louder, and then… Zahhn disappears into thin air.
A collective gasp sounds behind me, and I glance over my shoulder to find all nine of my cellmates staring wide-eyed at the dead Grozznolan mercenary.
Human security officers, along with two Darrvason engineers arrive on our cell block. They rush down the corridor to ensure the creature is dead. Then they each grab a tentacle and drag it away.
“What’s going on?” someone asks, grasping my arm.
I turn to face my cellmates, trying to figure out how to best explain what I know and how I acquired the knowledge. Telling them I have a telepathic connection with the Darrvarson doctor who examined me, who also happens to possess the ability to astral project himself at will, sounds a bit fantastic. If I were in their shoes, I would probably think I was full of shit.
So, I simply shrug and say, “I’m not entirely sure, but I think the danger is over. Don’t be scared.”
But just as we all get settled on our beds and start to relax, the info screen in the cell turns on. It flashes blue and then… I see a view of the stage at my speakeasy. It’s a recording. Jenny is on stage playing the keyboard and singing one of her most popular rebellious songs while the crowd chants along. Oh God. This is bad.
We all jump off our beds and approach the info screen. The song continues playing for way too long. Poor Jenny. She’s been exposed. I doubt she’s the person responsible for the broadcast. What will happen to her? Will the big Darrvason who follows her around protect her from Captain Warren’s wrath? I really hope so.
Suddenly, there’s a moment of static and the screen goes blank. Then Angelo… mostly sweet but sometimes hotheadedAngelo, one of my best friends in the whole universe, appears on the screen. But he doesn’t look the way I remember. He seems… deranged. Sweat runs down his face as he glares at the camera. I catch a glimpse of his mother in the background and realize he must be in his quarters.
“Citizens of theJansonna,” he says. “Rise up. Fight back. Follow the words of Captain Warren’s niece. Rise up and fight back. Do whatever you can to break the alliance with the Darrvasons. Kill the Darrvasons if you can.” He raises a fist. “Resistance!” He staggers backward, and his mother collapses on the floor.
Jenny’s performance resumes.
I fall to my knees. Angelo. Jenny.
They’re both as good as dead.
Chapter 32
ZAHHN
I’m standingin the command room where Emperor Radakk and his advisors hold their classified meetings, trying to maintain my composure. It’s the morning of the handover, and I am anxious to meet the group of guards I will accompany to theHaxxal. I have no wish to join whatever meeting is about to occur, and I cannot imagine why my presence would be required. The fleeting idea that perhaps the emperor plans to ask me to become an advisor dances through my mind, but I quickly dash it away. No, that would not make sense.
When a familiar Darrvason engineer enters the room, I narrow my eyes and glare at the male. I suddenly have a very good idea why I’ve been summoned. Unfortunately, I didn’t disappear fromJannsonna’sbrig before I was spotted by one of my own people, and it would appear he’s a snitch. I hold back a growl as all the muscles in my body tense. The urge to pummel this male in the face grows stronger by the moment.
Several advisors file into the room, along with Admiral Tornn and Emperor Radakk. I feel as though I’m about to be put ontrial, though I keep telling myself I didn’t do anything wrong. As far as I’m concerned, they ought to be thanking me. Not only did I protect the human females in the worldship’s brig, but I slaughtered a Grozznolan mercenary.
“Doctor Zahhn, please have a seat,” Admiral Tornn says as he exchanges a look with the emperor.
I sink into a chair and peer from face to face, waiting for the verbal lashing to commence. I’m ready to argue my case, of course, but I resolve not to speak until I obtain a better understanding of their version of events. Whether they know about my obsession with Leona, I am uncertain.
I remind myself that Officer Brute and Chief Kameer are likely the only males who are aware of my interest in Leona, but they aren’t present in the command room. I silently commend them for not being snitches like this other male.
“I am sure you’re wondering why you’ve been summoned to the command room, Doctor Zahhn,” the emperor says, “so I will get straight to the point.” He glances at the engineer. “We have reason to believe you astral projected aboard theJansonnaduring the Grozznolan attack. More specifically, you transported yourself to the worldship’s brig.”
I shrug. “Well, I am a very talented individual.”
Admiral Tornn grunts. “Doctor Zahhn, we did not summon you to the command room to charge you with a crime. I highly suggest you are more forthcoming during this meeting. Now, answer the emperor’s question.”
I lift my eyebrows. “Technically, Emperor Radakk didn’t ask me a question. However, if you insist, Admiral Tornn, I will tell you what happened.” My gaze sweeps around the table as I attempt to stall. What thefluxxshould I say? I draw in a long breath. “As soon as I realized there was danger aboard theJansonna, I strapped on some weapons that I happened to have lying around my quarters, then I astral projected to theworldship’s brig, risked my life to protect the female prisoners, chivalrous male that I am, and single-handedly brought down a Grozznolan mercenary.” I display a wide grin as I take particular enjoyment in the stunned silence that falls.
Advisor Bemment clears his throat. “Doctor Zahhn’s father possessed the ability to astral project, so we should’ve seen this coming. We need to compile a thorough list of all the descendants of the assassins who were part of Project Xeera. Under stable leadership,” he says with a nod at Emperor Radakk, “such abilities should be encouraged, if for no other reason than to keep the empire strong. The doctor’s skills would be very useful in a battle.”
The advisors converse for a while, and I lean back in my chair, feigning a look of boredom. Eventually, they vote and agree that Project Xeera should be reinstated. The snitching engineer is dismissed from the command room, and eventually the advisors are as well, leaving me alone with Emperor Radakk and Admiral Tornn.
“I suspect there is more to the story you told us, Doctor Zahhn,” the admiral says, “however we are due to collect the next batch of human females soon, so a full explanation will have to wait.” He rises to his feet, nods at the emperor, and departs the command room.
