“Not according to Rezor.” I pressed my translator again, making sure it was set to continuous learning mode. “First, we figure out where we are and who these people really are. Then…fuck if I know.”
Baleck scratched his head and reclined on the bed at thefar wall. “I wish I had one of those translator devices. My head aches from trying to parse their words with Destran.”
“Thank thestarsone of us has one,” Mierva added. “Cleo can communicate with them. That will make our lives better.”
I winced. “I’m not the one who should be talking with anyone, especially that arrogant ass of a leader they have,” I muttered. “My implant would be better served in the head of a communication specialist.” I nodded toward Baleck.
Baleck shrugged one shoulder. “Just keep calm and you’ll be fine.”
“Calm has never been my specialty.” I ran my tongue over my dry teeth. “I’m way too hotheaded.”Mouthy little bitch. Thoughtless shit. Biggest disappointment of my life.
I shoved away the words that haunted me whenever I felt unsure, or vulnerable, or less than in control, and tried to focus on the positives. We had shelter. And we had the attention of anotinsane leader, who seemed at least willing tolisten, even if his fuchsia eyes made my pulse race in ways that were deeply inconvenient.
Through the window, I could see the valley spreading out in the fading light. Somewhere out there were answers. Maybe even a way to fix our situation.
I just had to survive long enough to find them.
And avoid being alone with Lord Rezor, because being around him made me feel acutely unsure, vulnerable, and not at all in control. I didn’t need those dark voices in my head right now, not when my life, and those of my friends, depended on me keeping my head cool and my mouth shut.
CHAPTER 4
Rezor
Istrode through the corridors of my compound with purpose, issuing orders to everyone I passed. My people expected me to organize the chaos of the past few hours into actionable tasks, the way I always did when crisis struck.
“Fetch Erith,” I told the first guard I encountered. “Tell her I need her healing skills for a female with a broken arm in the guest quarters.”
Erith was my favorite healer, skilled and practical. She wouldn’t flinch at treating alien species. If anything, she’d be fascinated.
“Bring fresh clothing to the guest quarters,” I ordered another. “And food. Water. Whatever provisions they need for the night.”
I turned to find Vax waiting near my private chambers, his expression grim. Of course he was. My military commanderhad made his opinion on our “visitors” clear in the council chamber.
“Assemble a team,” I told him before he could speak. “I want that crashed pod brought down from the mountains. Carefully. There may be useful materials in it, or technology we can salvage.”
His eyes flashed red, then settled into grudging amber. “You truly intend to keep them here? To trust them?”
“I do not trust them,” I replied. “But we must learn what they are and why they’re here.” I met his stare evenly. “So until we determine whether they’re a threat, they stay. Under guard. Under my protection.”
“The prophecy—”
“Isnotyour concern.” Despite my calm voice, my patience was wearing thin. “Your concern is the security of this valley and its people. Which means understanding potential threats, not executing crash survivors out of fear.” I pinned him with a hard look, but kept my tone even. Vax was loyal, had been at my side for twenty cycles. His caution came from a good place, even if he was too reactionary at times. “Trust me on this.”
He inclined his head, accepting if not agreeing. “I’ll see to the pod retrieval myself.”
I nodded and continued toward the exit, needing air and space to think. The sacred marks on my chest still burned with residual heat, a reminder of the impossibility I’d experienced. My marks, dormant for all my adulthood, had blazed to life at the touch of an alien female with unchanging skin and defiant eyes.
It meant nothing. Itchangednothing. The marksresponded to compatible mates, and she wasn’t even D’tran. Some body fluke, perhaps. A reaction to her alien nature that mimicked—
“Lord Rezor.”
I stopped, suppressing a groan. Zelana’s voice held that particular tone that meant she was about to lecture me about signs and portents.
“Zelana.” I turned to face her, my gut tightening with resignation. “I’ve already heard your interpretation of the prophecy. Multiple times.”
“Then hear it once more.” She moved closer, pulling a worn leather-bound book from the satchel she always carried. “From the original text, not my interpretation.”
I held up a hand. “I don’t have time for—”
