Page 59 of Decadence

If she was stuck in these dark, sterile quarters—again—with nothing to do and nobody to talk to, the worry would surely drive her insane.

So she had to use what little clout she had. She had to act like an entitled bitch and get her way for once.

Besides, she really wanted to do something for Ikriss. He’d been through so much and he was still suffering, and it was all because of her.

Sienna stood her ground, planting her feet on the threshold as the Kordolian warriors bristled, looming over her threateningly. “Your Commander is going to want to see me when he recovers, and I don’t really want to tell him that his warriors didn’t do their jobs very well. I bet he’d be mighty disappointed.”

Vyron and Jaxis stiffened. The expressions on their faces would have almost been comical if the two warriors weren’t so serious and dangerous looking.

“Within reason,” Vyron growled for the second time. “We will start with one request. If it does not prove to be too frivolous, then I will consider granting you another.”

“Remember, I’ll report to Ikriss,” she said acidly.

“So will I.” Vyron called her bluff.

Sienna sighed. “Fine. One request. I want to know what’s happening on Earth. I want your guarantee that my people are safe. Is that too frivolous by your standards?”

“No,” Jaxis said, inclining his head ever so slightly. “You seem to be capable of loyalty. That is a good trait to have in a mate.”

“You seem to respect loyalty,” she sniped back. “That is a good trait to have, considering you’re professional warmongers.”

“Professional warmongers,” Vyron snorted. “Catchy. I like that.”

“I want news,” Sienna growled. “It isn’t an unreasonable request, is it?”

The two warriors contemplated her for a long, uncomfortable moment, their expressions completely inscrutable.

That was the thing about these Kordolians. She found them so hard to read.

“I will communicate with Earth Control,” Jaxis informed her. “And then I will consult with the General. And only then will we inform you of what you need to know. Maybe.” The alien gave her a look that was pure arrogance wrapped up in a layer of rigid authority.

“Hmph. Old habits die hard, I suppose,” she said softly. “You’re allowed to exercise a bit of independent thought, you know.”

“Hmph,” the warrior sneered. “If we hadn’t done that in the first place, we would not have joined the rebellion. So think for yourself, human, and reconsider what you think you know about our kind.” His fangs flashed in the dim light. “Besides, we would not allow indiscriminate killing and chaos to exist in our domain… under our watch.”

Sienna swallowed the sharp retort that rose to the tip of her tongue. Having control of her own fate stolen away from her yet again made her irritable and resentful, but the warrior had a point, and even if they were gruff and surly most of the time, the Kordolians had rescued her and treated her and the other captives a thousand times better than the horrible Ephrenians.

She never wanted to see one of those lanky, boneless, dome-headed, faceless creeps again.

She’d much prefer the Kordolians any day of the week.

“I expect some human or other from our side will be arriving shortly to give you the usual talk,” Vyron said dryly.

“The usual talk…” she echoed. “You almost make it sound as if this sort of thing happens all the time.”

Both warriors gave her a strange look. “Go inside, human,” Vyron growled. “Orientate yourself. You will be well taken care of here. And when we have news, we will inform you.”

“And wash up,” Jaxis said slowly. “You still have blood on your hands.”

She looked down and saw that her fingers were indeed coated in dried black blood.

His blood.

Her mouth widened into a silent O. Taking in their grim expressions and no-nonsense body language, Sienna decided she’d pushed her luck enough for one day.

She took a step forward, into the eerily quiet, shadowy embrace of her quarters.

The warriors didn’t say another word. Faster than she could blink, the doors knitted closed behind her, leaving her alone in the silence again, with nothing but her thoughts and memories of violence for company.

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