"My jewelry station.A personal hobby unrelated to Krevan."
"As his wife in a shared residence, your possessions fall under our jurisdiction," he said, gesturing toward her supply containers."Open these immediately, or we'll do it ourselves—contents on the floor."
Ancelin positioned herself between the officers and her workstation, arms folded across her chest."You'll definitely need to produce official documentation before rifling through my private belongings.I've cooperated with your inspection of the premises, but these materials are mine alone.I'm drawing the line here.Present proper authorization, or we continue to the remaining rooms."
"Perhaps I wasn't clear," Adon's voice hardened."By choosing to live with Mr.Vallex, you've placed yourself under our surveillance.If that's inconvenient, it's unfortunate—but irrelevant."
Movement caught her peripheral vision—Krevan at the doorway, motionless yet coiled with tension, his presence radiating danger.
"What exactly are you searching for among my beads and tools?"
"Contraband," Christo snapped, the word escaping before he could filter it.
"Contraband?"Ancelin's laugh was sharp as broken glass."You're investigating me now?What smuggling or theft charges did Krevan serve time for?My record is spotless.Return with a proper warrant if you want to rifle through my things.I doubt requesting basic legal procedure will impact Krevan's status."She glanced over her shoulder where Krevan now stood, his presence materializing without a sound.The officers flinched.
Adon's jaw tightened."We'll complete our inspection and return with documentation for a more thorough search."
"Perfect.Our legal team on Earth and Triaxe will be fascinated to learn how Hellgate Prison conducts itself on Verrian soil.I suspect your jurisdiction, and authorization ends with me and my jewelry box."Ancelin gestured them toward the door.Krevan retreated silently to the living room while she guided them through the remaining rooms.When they reached her bedroom, their eyes lingered on her dresser.
"The drawers and closets—"
"Not without a warrant.These contain my things."Ancelin planted herself between them and her possessions."This inspection is over."
The men exchanged uncertain glances.
Christo's face darkened."We'll be back with a full security detail.The terms of Vallex's release give us that right."He stepped closer to Ancelin, his breath was rancid."Do you understand what you're doing?You’re messing with the wrong people.One word from us, and he returns to Hellgate."His gaze swept the room."This place is enormous—we'll need a team to properly inspect it."His finger hovered inches from her nose."Remember who you're dealing with."When the men turned to leave, they froze mid-step.Krevan stood right behind them, his massive frame blocking their exit, his presence sending a visible ripple of tension through their bodies.
"Who’s messing with my wife?"Krevan asked, his voice full of hostility.
The men flushed with awkwardness, and Christo replied defiantly, "No one, Vallex.We were just highlighting the seriousness of not letting us do our job.Our request to search was reasonable.Now, we’ll have to come back with a large security team and report your lack of cooperation."
"Are you heading to the barns now?"Krevan asked, his tone icy.
"No, as I mentioned, we're coming back with a security team to search your home and property.We’ll record that you were hostile and uncooperative, putting us at risk," Adon formally told Krevan.
"Tell me what you're searching for.Nothing suspicious is happening here to warrant this invasion."Krevan steered the men to the exit.The door swung open with a decisive crack against the wall."My lawyer will hear about this immediately."His fingers pressed into their shoulder blades, stopping just short of physical ejection.
The men disappeared into the downpour.Krevan slammed the door with such force that the light fixtures trembled.When he turned to face her, his jaw was clenched tight, a muscle twitching beneath the skin.
"I'm sorry," Ancelin said, her voice small."Did I overstep?"
"No."His voice softened slightly."You kept me from making a terrible mistake."
"What do you mean?"
Krevan's fist clenched and unclenched at his side."Without you here as a buffer..."He shook his head."Let's just say those men wouldn't have walked out."He stalked into the kitchen, his footfalls heavy against the floor."I came to Verrian specifically to escape their reach.This planet is supposed to be beyond their jurisdiction."His fingers raked through his hair as he paced."Something doesn't add up."
"Why would they want to search through my personal belongings?"Ancelin asked.
"I’m not sure.Maybe just to show their power over me and annoy me.I appreciate that you stood your ground."
"I hope it doesn’t create any issues for you.It should be my responsibility when it comes to my things.Let’s go to bed, I’m tired.”
"I’ll be up eventually.”Krevan checked the house’s doors and windows and brewed a pot of coffee.He sat in the dark with his warm mug for several hours.
Ancelin's body ached with exhaustion, yet sleep refused her.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw those men's faces.With trembling hands, she reached for the small pill bottle she'd tucked away upon arriving on Verrian, promising herself she wouldn't need it.The sedative dissolved bitter on her tongue.As she lay back, images flickered behind her eyelids: her parents' bodies, investigators with their cold questions, and now these strangers with their probing eyes.The way they'd spoken of her family's deaths—so casual, so knowing.Her consciousness began to blur at the edges, but one thought crystallized with terrifying clarity before darkness took her: What if those badges were fake?
Chapter 8
