Page 123 of Decadence

“You humans are prolific breeders,” the Kordolian countered. “Your population is running out of resources, and your females have become a highly sought-after commodity in the Nine Galaxies. The threats will start to come hard and fast, believe me. If your people had mastered space travel earlier, you would have been able to defend yourselves better.”

“How does space travel have anything to do with defending ourselves?”

“Well, you would have had access to the intergalactic weapons market for one. The guns your forces are using now are little better than ice-picks against us.”

“Are you saying you would have preferred a little more resistance from us?” Emmett asked, rolling his eyes a fraction.

The Kordolian grinned, showing his fangs. “Well, a little resistance is good for keeping the claws sharp, but I for one am glad that you humans rolled over for us, because I am growing quite fond of your species and their little quirks.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m sure you’d agree, Commander.”

Emmett turned his head sharply and saw Sienna and Ikriss. His eyes widened. His mouth formed a surprised O.

“More than you might think,” Ikriss agreed dryly. He turned to Sienna. “I must leave now. There is an urgent matter I need to deal with, as you probably will already have guessed. I will be back as soon as possible—with your missing friend.”

“Eva…” she sighed. According to Ikriss, Eva had been taken by Syndicate. The Kordolians had spent the last few days tracking down her location, and they had finally found her—and a bunch of other women—in a secure Syndicate tower in Rio de Janeiro.

Why the fuck had they gone after Eva?

Because she was connected to Sienna?

Were all her friends going to be in constant danger from now on?

No. She had to trust that Ikriss knew what he was doing.

With all the craziness that was going on, Sienna could only hold onto the tendril of hope inside her and let it overpower her fears.

What was there to worry about now, anyway?

She had freaking Kordolians on her side.

Ikriss planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. “You are in good hands. There is nothing for you to worry about. Zarken is one of my most trusted warriors, and your extra protection is arriving as I speak.”

“Extra protection?”

“A close friend of mine. He is called Nythian. He is even more lethal than I.”

“Now you’re just being modest, aren’t you?”

“No, it’s true. I wouldn’t call on anyone less to guard my Queen. You are perfectly safe here.”

She gave him a lopsided smile. “You have this way of being terrifyingly reassuring, you know that? I can’t help but worry when you tell me you’re going on an urgent mission that may or may not be terribly dangerous, but I trust you know what you’re doing.”

“I’ve been doing this for a very long time. Besides, I’m scratch-proof now, remember?”

The memory of her nails digging into the skin of his back flashed through her mind.

Heat rose in her cheeks. A retort formed on her tongue, but Ikriss was already going, giving her a curt wave as he disappeared through her kitchen doorway, in a blur of obsidian and silver and white.

And then he was gone, leaving her alone with Emmett and the Kordolian warrior called Zarken and her pristine kitchen and the scent of home.

She stepped inside and took a deep breath.

She met her old friend’s blue eyes.

Emmett stared back with a deadpan expression, hiding what she suspected was a torrent of emotions. “Your guy survived, I take it. Nice hairstyle.”

Sienna’s hand rose to her hair, which had been plaited into two simple braids—with tender precision by Ikriss, no less. He was surprisingly good at braiding; it was an Aikun thing, he’d explained. “What, you mean me, or him?”

“Both of you. Very stylish.” Emmett stood to greet her as Sienna stepped into the kitchen. He rose and gave her a hug, kissing her lightly on the cheek—the way he always greeted her. “I didn’t know aliens could grow their hair so quickly.”

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