“What’s happening?” I was desperate to know what would become of the other women. Were they also being released and led somewhere safe? I hadn’t seen anyone else coming to help them.
“I must keep you safe. You… are special.”
I cringed.
The ship tossed again, and I stumbled into the corner of the desk. He pointed at the space again and made a hissing sound that indicated he was growing impatient with me.
“I’m not getting in there,” I declared. “What good would it do me anyway? If they blow this ship out of the air, that desk isn’t going to save either of us.”
He narrowed his eyes at me and drew his lips back, revealing a thin row of nasty teeth, but then he blew out a puff of air and rolled his eyes.
“Fine, female. As you wish.”
He picked up the receiver on the desk and held it to his ear again. He was speaking in a language I could not understand, but the agitation in his voice was evident as he barked out questions and waited for answers from whoever was on the other end of the line.
He slammed the receiver back down on the desk, and I yelped in surprise, moving away from him as quickly as I could in the off-kilter ship.
“You will be okay, Caimbrie. You will stay here with me until this matter is settled.”
His words were firm, and despite the concerned look in his eyes, he sounded confident that we would make it through this.
“Who is attacking us? Who would attack a research vessel?”