Page 83 of Decadence

For the first time in a very, very long time, she didn’t feel afraid anymore.

Not of evil aliens.

Not of the stupid Syndicate.

Not of her world crumbling to pieces… well, not entirely.

A flicker of worry entered her chest as she thought about her friends on Earth, but she pushed it away, deciding to trust Ikriss once and for all.

For her, that was a big fucking leap, but somehow, he’d made it possible.

Behind them, Arin, Rykal, and Jaxis filled the room, acting strangely solemn and respectful, as if this were some sort of weird alien ceremony.

“Ignore them,” Ikriss whispered. “I’m with you.” His fingers curled around hers.

Sienna nodded and took a step forward into the darkness. As her eyes adjusted, she realized that she recognized the two shadowy figures standing by the pool.

The General and his medic.

Both of them were staring at her with a laser-like intensity that made her want to curl up and hide.

She pushed that feeling away. Ikriss was beside her now, and if anyone could protect her against powerful, intimidating aliens, it was this powerful, intimidating alien.

“Now we know why they wanted her so badly,” Zharek announced all of a sudden, his voice echoing in the cavernous chamber.

“What is this about?” Ikriss’s voice was low and dangerous. His arm went possessively around Sienna’s waist. In front of all these dangerous Kordolian males, it felt very much like a deliberately territorial display.

Suddenly, the air was thick with tension. Ikriss bristled with barely controlled violence.

The General put his hand up in a placating gesture. “Easy, my friend.”

Sienna placed her hand on top of Ikriss’s. To her surprise, the tension melted out of his body.

“So the answer is biological, then. There is something that sets you apart; that makes you desirable to our enemies on the other side.” Ikriss looked down, his attention focused entirely on her. He leaned into her a little, allowing her to feel his reassuring warmth. His eyes were golden embers, threatening to ignite at any moment and engulf her in a fucking inferno. “It doesn’t matter anyhow,” he rumbled. “You are mine now, and I do not care for whatever twisted designs our enemies might have on you. We will destroy them.” He pulled her closer. “Explain yourself, medic.”

“Yes, yes,” Zharek said absently. “Well, you are as astute as always, Commander, and as usual, you are correct, if a little more… impassioned than normal. Sienna Adamo is certainly human, but her bloodline carries traces from our past.”

“Don’t be so cryptic,” Ikriss growled. “Spell it out in terms that we can understand.”

Zharek’s expression grew a little smug, as if he greatly relished revealing this little tidbit of information. The General said nothing, his expression completely alien and inscrutable. He reminded her of Ikriss in a way, only he was a little colder… and scarier.

Strangely, the medic turned toward her and offered a slight bow. “I have analyzed your genetic makeup. I ran your samples through the Sylth and cross-matched every single gene you possess with every single individual, dead or alive, that exists in our database. The results are very interesting… and surprising.” He paused, frowning dramatically.

“Get on with it, Zharek,” Ikriss growled softly. She could sense the seething tension within him. It felt like something inside him could snap at any moment.

What the hell is going on here?

Why were the others just standing there watching them with weird expressions, as if they were all in on some massive secret?

“You carry a gene that is also found in the blood of our wayward prince,” Zharek said at last. “A marker of the Imperial Line.”

His words spun past her, barely sinking in. “W-what are you talking about? That’s impossible.”

“She is of Imperial lineage?” Ikriss’s interest was sharp; urgent. She could feel his anger crackling just beneath the surface. Sienna curled her fingers around his. Her fingertips found razor-sharp claws.

She stifled a sharp intake of breath.

He might be partly incapacitated right now, but he was still a predator of the highest order.

---