"None whatsoever.We met on Verrian," she said, lifting her chin slightly.
Adon stepped forward, his boots leaving wet marks on the floor."So, you're fully aware you've married a Hellgate ex-con?A Triaxen convicted of manslaughter?"His eyes never left her face, searching for a flinch, a tell.
"I'm well aware of my husband's past," Ancelin said, voice steadying."Now, it's very late.Is there something specific you need, or are you just here to disrupt our sleep?Krevan has followed every condition of his release."
"What’s your maiden name?"Adon demanded."Full legal name.And we need to see your identification."His hand extended palm-up, expectant.
Beside her, Krevan's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath his skin.
"Ancelin Renee Trever-Vallex.Earth, North American Region."She pulled her identi-card from her bag on the counter and extended it toward Adon, who snatched it from her fingers."My record is clean.I purchased property on Verrian as an investment.Then I met Krevan and we married.That's all."
"Any relation to Dr.Terrance Trever?"Adon's body angled toward her, voice dropping."The doctor was executed in his living room back on Earth?Whole family eliminated.Made headlines across North American Region last year."He tapped her identi-card against his palm."I'm from the area."His expression remained cold, calculated.
Behind her, Krevan stepped closer, and both men instinctively stepped backward.
Ancelin's spine stiffened."He was my father," she said, each word precise as a knife cut."I discovered their bodies."Her gaze locked onto Adon's."Perhaps you'd care to explain what my family's murder has to do with your inspection of this property?"
Christo's eyes narrowed as he studied her face."A woman from the Trever line—supposedly all murdered—now living with Hellgate's most notorious inmate."He circled her slowly."Krevan Vallex killed so many prisoners we lost count.”He paused, watching for her reaction."Yet here you are—shacking up on this backwater planet with a Triaxen criminal."His voice dropped to a near whisper."Makes us wonder what you're hiding."
Ancelin shot back sarcastically, “you’re insulting and insane!You’re worried that someone like me is with someone like him on a planet like this?If he was violent on Hellgate, that’s exactly how he stayed alive.That planet pretends to be a prison.”
“Thanks for your opinion.”Christo replied.
“Now, we’ll look around the home, and we’ll be on our way.”
With a decisive gesture, Ancelin motioned for the men to follow.Krevan said nothing as they all moved into the living room.
Christo stated, “We expect you both to remain here while we inspect the house and outbuildings.”
“Absolutely not,” Ancelin replied.“I’ll accompany you.This is my home, and I’m not about to let you rummage through my belongings.I don’t trust you.”
“Miss,” Christo asked coolly, “would you like to be charged with obstructing Hellgate Prison’s official business?”
“Are you threatening to send me to Hellgate?”Ancelin’s face turned crimson.
Krevan bristled.
“Krevan’s more likely to return there.”Christo chuckled.
Ancelin laid a calming hand on Krevan’s arm, “I’ll go with you—that’s not obstruction.I’m not blocking your work; I’m making sure it’s done properly.Krevan stays here; I’ll follow you.”
Krevan’s voice was firm.“No.I won’t leave you unguarded with these men.”
“Yes, I’m fine.You’re as fast as the wind.I’ll call you if there’s a problem.Plus, you’ll be able to hear us,” Ancelin insisted.
Krevan moved over to the far side of the room and leaned against the wall.If looks could kill, the men would have been already dead and buried.
“All right, do this quick.I grow tired of this unnecessary invasion.I want you gone from my home as soon as possible.You’re interfering with my life,” Krevan told the men in a harsh voice.It was nearly inhuman, and his eerie silver eyes glared at them.
Ancelin led the men down the hallway to the greenhouse door.“This is the greenhouse, and it’s being repaired.We had significant tornado damage.Do you want to go inside?”Ancelin asked.
“Yes, we do,” Christo curtly replied, pushing past Ancelin.He nearly pushed her over.
“What exactly are you looking to for?”Ancelin demanded.
"We're merely conducting a routine inspection, Mrs.Vallex," Adon said with practiced neutrality.Ancelin trailed behind them through the greenhouse, watching their every move as they examined the space.Once satisfied, she guided them down the corridor to Krevan's office, reluctantly granting them entry.
Adon's gaze fixed on her workspace."Explain this setup."
