“That still doesn’t change the facts.”
“Nor does it change that you were spotted copulating with this Earth woman. A world, I’ll add, that I have still found not a trace of information on.”
“They are new to the conglomerate.”
“So she keeps saying,” Totaxxis replied, a ponderous look on his face. “Her story just does not quite add up.”
“She was traumatized. Taken by Raxxians. Nearly burned to death. Irregularities are to be expected, so leave Ella out of this. Your quarrel is with me and me alone.”
“We will see about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly as I said,” the head of security replied. “Now, I suggest you prepare yourself. You will have a very uncomfortable stay ahead of you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Three days passed before anyone came to see either of them. They were fed, their meals slid through old-fashioned and decidedly low-tech slots in the door, but other than that, they spent their entire time alone, sequestered not only from each other, but any other contact.
Separated as they were, Ella and Draikis nevertheless felt each other’s presence. Not in the same cell, obviously, but somewhere within the dungeon, nearby, but not close enough to touch.
Communication was out of the question, the walls being solid stone of absurd thickness. But as the lovers passed their days wondering how the other might be, they shared a common sensation smoldering in their cores, no matter how out of place it might have seemed.
They felt joy.
They also ran the gamut of emotions, from anger to frustration to determination and back again, but the whole time their Infalas each emitted a steady pulse, an energetic bond linking them no matter what obstacles might be in between.
When they were finally visited by Elder Soparo, Totaxxis, and an interrogation recorder, they had both reached a degree of calm neither would have expected. And, to their questioners’ surprise, they each took the blame, protecting one another without hesitation.
Totaxxis was the most frustrated of the team, though Elder Soparo was not particularly thrilled with their statements even as he was still coming to terms with one as trusted as Draikis violating the law like this. As for the recorder, he simply jotted down all that was said, though the electronic recordings created automatically more than sufficed. But it was written in the texts that all accused would have their statements inscribed by a recorder, and so they were.
Three more days passed. Days of seclusion only broken up by one additional questioning session each. Then, at long last, the pair were abruptly taken from their cells, hauled up from the dungeon and out of the building for their first taste of sunlight since their capture. They didn’t enjoy it for long as they were ushered to the grand hall.
Ella’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she saw Draikis. He was striking in his calmness, the burning adoration in his eyes apparent even as they were kept separate while they walked. No words were needed. All was clear in but a look.
The pigment residing on Ella’s chest twinged hard, her nipples tightening almost uncomfortably at his presence despite the situation. She was pondering what exactly it could mean when they were led into their destination’s side entrance, following a smaller passage until it spit them out into the large hall.
“You. There,” Totaxxis commanded, directing Ella to a seat. “And you, over there,” he added, placing Draikis a distance away from her.
Ella looked all around. It seemed like every last priest was present, sitting in the gallery watching silently.
“What’s going on?”
Totaxxis flashed a menacing grin. “Your trial.”
“Trial? Wait, so I get to defend myself?”
He scoffed. “Later, you may try. But evidence will first be brought against you both.”
Totaxxis walked away, leaving her with her confusion. Confusion, but a glimmer of hope.
Maybe I can explain. Maybe?—
“The prisoners will stand!” a booming voice commanded from the central dais, amplified by some invisible alien tech.
Ella and Draikis rose to their feet in silence. The older man wore ornate robes and had more of the bearing of an inquisitor than a judge. He seemed to be taking their transgression personally. Ella figured that as a priest who had sworn the same vow as the others, and had been living them for decades, it kind of made sense.
Totaxxis watched from the side, seated apart from Elder Soparo and a few other senior priests. He was their head of security, and his position allowed him full view of the chamber without much effort or obvious head turning. Not that he’d need it. This was a friendly place. His home. Where they all fell in line and followed the rules. All but one, that is.
