Page 115 of Tribute
“Name them.”
“The one called Palk. Is he with you?”
“Yes.”
“If I go with you, he has to stay here in this room.”
There was a humming sound, as if theUngrichwas communicating with someone or something else.
“What if we refuse?”
“Then I won’t cooperate with you.” She patted her pocket. “If you force me down that hole, I’ll set off these explosives.”
The tentacle wrapped around her throat started to divide and flow downward.
“My hand is already in my pocket. If you try and take them from me by force, I’ll set them off and kill myself. You won’t reach them in time. If I am worth more to you than Palk, then agree to my terms.”
She remained still, hearing the sounds of struggle echoing above her and the terse exchange of information between the men guarding her and Aled through her earpiece. Farn—one of the ex-Tribute males—was dead, and Kai was gutted about it. A sudden sense of peace enfolded her. Once she was gone, the attack would have to be called off.
Or would it?
She pulled out her earpiece and laid it on the top of the cabinet beside Aled.
“When you bring Palk here, I want to talk to him.”
Tentacles thrashed and glistened within the deep hole, and suddenly Palk was there, nicely trapped in a mesh of tentacles, his expression feral as he tried to fight them off. She could’ve told him that was a pointless waste of energy, but she enjoyed watching him panic far too much.
“You!” he snarled. “What the hell is going on?”
She pointed her weapon at him. “Call off the attack.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
“You’ve achieved your aim. I’ve been captured. Isn’t that what theUngrichpaid you to do?”
“I’m not some kind of mercenary, Anna Lee. We are equal partners in this endeavor. Put the weapon down and shut up.”
She smiled at him. “Do you really believe that they will let you rule Mitan?”
“That’s what they promised me, yes.”
“But they intend to destroy the entire population.”
Palk shrugged. “Then I’ll rule over a kingdom of one.”
She raised her weapon. “Good-bye, Palk.”
He had the gall to laugh as he held up his hands. “You think they’ll let you kill me, you stupid human bitch?”
“Yes, I do.” She turned her attention inward.“Can you confirm that?”
Palk had a tentacle embedded in his throat. He would be capable of hearing theUngrichanswer her question.
“Confirmed. The human female is more valuable to us than you are. If she wishes to kill you, we will not intervene.”
Anna raised her eyebrows as Palk’s face went white. “Did you get that? Now call off your men and end the assault.”
He held her gaze and then raised his cuff. “Code seven nine one. Mission has succeeded. Fall back to map rendezvous point twelve and wait for more orders. Palk out.”
