Page 11 of Alien Devil's Gamble

Elara nodded. “That’s right.”

“Good timing. We’ve got new intel on your, ah, situation,” Laux hinted.

I crossed my arms expectantly. “Let’s hear it then.”

“Over here, boss.”

Elara stuck close as we gathered around the table. Laux tapped the console, bringing up a dense holographic data projection.

“We’ve compiled all known information about the mystery plant,” Sakkar explained. “Looks like a lot, but most is hearsay.”

“The facts are here,” Ryrik added. “Most interesting—we know someone else is searching for it, too.”

I tensed. “Who?”

Ryrik swiped through the files, enlarging a surveillance image of a human woman.

“A human named Jocelyn Callister.”

“A human?” I repeated incredulously. What could she want with the bizarre plant? I expected the usual underworld heads as suspects, not another of Elara’s kind. A glance her way showed she seemed just as bewildered.

“Laux is still investigating how she learned of the flower,” Sakkar continued.

“Got it now,” Laux announced, transferring a new file to the holo-display—the scientist’s credentials from a respected research institution.

“Seems legitimate,” I mused.

“Until she went rogue conducting unauthorized experiments on live subjects,” Sakkar said darkly. “Dismissed for unethical practices.”

I swore under my breath. “Not good at all.”

“It gets worse. Our sources say the flower holds immense power, though its nature is unknown. But if a scientist is after it...” Ryrik trailed off ominously.

“Do we know her current location?” I asked sharply.

“She’s been spotted around Thodos recently.”

“Damn it all,” I growled, rounding on Elara. “Have you seen this woman near your shop?”

Elara’s gaze darted between us, naked fear in her eyes. Suspicion flared within me.

“Well? Do you recognize her?” I demanded.

Elara sighed heavily. “Yes. She came into the shop once.”

“What?” I snapped. “What happened? Tell me everything.”

“She just seemed interested in a bouquet, I think. But she left without buying anything.”

I sensed her holding back. “Is that all? We need the full truth.”

Elara hesitated before mumbling, “She glimpsed the flower.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, swearing vehemently. This situation spiraled further out of control by the minute.

“I asked if anything happened and you never thought to mention her?” I spat.

“Well how was I to know she was some suspect?” Elara shot back, anger flashing in her eyes. “She seemed perfectly nice, so I trusted her as a fellow human!”

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