A squad of grey-clad figures emerged from one of the pods then and marched through the terminal. The guards had laser-rifles slung across their fronts and moved with military precision.
Those on the platform stepped aside to let the members of the Aura Garrison past, their manner respectful.
Malik tracked the guards’ path from within the shadow of his hood. They were hunting those responsible for the attack on the upper-side. However, he knew they were also searching for him and Lady Jenna.
He’d have to be careful to avoid them.
Frustrated he hadn’t yet caught sight of anyone suspicious, Malik was about to leave the terminal, and make a start on his shopping, when three men emerged from one of the pods.
Watching them, the fine hair prickled on the back of his neck. At first glance, they looked like any of the workers who filed in and out of the transpods. Dressed in loose tunics and pants, they wore cloaks about their shoulders. However, these individuals didn’t have slumped shoulders or exhausted faces like many surrounding them. Instead, they were alert.
The trio made their way out onto the street, gazes swinging left and right.
Malik broke away from the crowd and followed the men. Years of training, as well as a childhood living amongst criminals, had honed his instincts. He kept a discreet distance back, observing their stalking gait. All three had the quiet intensity of dangerous men. He noted how they talked together, their lithe forms tense with purpose, before they headed up the street.
Eventually, they reached the end of the shopping ward’s main street. Here, the three companions split up, each heading down different side streets, widening their search.
In the shadow of his hood, Malik allowed himself a thin smile.
Jidea be praised.The Goddess was gazing upon him at last. He’d hesitate to take on all three killers at once—but not one.
Turning left, he slid into the shadows.
The hours passed, and Captain Malik didn’t come back.
For a while after he left, Jenna sat upon the bed, too exhausted and shaken to move. Then, eventually, she’d dragged herself to her feet, unslung her bag, and made her way into the bathroom.
Locking the door—for she didn’t want her bodyguard returning and accidentally bursting in on her—Jenna undressed. Her once pristine golden shift dress and over-robe were dirtied and crumpled. Nonetheless, these were the only clothes she had.
She turned on the shower and stepped under the hot water. She quickly washed her hair before closing her eyes. The heat restored her, and Jenna was just starting to relax when the water went ice-cold.
Snarling a curse, she switched off the water, staggered out of the shower, and wrapped herself in a towel. She then dried herself off, put on her sweaty robes, and returned to the room.
Still no Captain Malik. She wondered what was taking him so long.
Jenna retrieved her tablet and turned it on. Three hours had passed since he’d left. Now that her shock was starting to fade—and after the warmth, and polar blast, of the shower—she was beginning to feel hungry.
Sitting down on the bed, she lay back and stared at the paneled ceiling.
She hadn’t thought she’d be able to relax enough to nap, but after a few moments, she grew drowsy. Jenna was just dozing off when the sound of loud groaning jolted her awake.
Heart hammering, she sat up, glancing around her.
The groans—deep and male—continued, and Jenna realized they were coming from the next room.
Gods, the walls are thin in here.
Jenna’s brow furrowed then. She knew Malik had chosen this hotel on purpose, for it was far from the center and provided the secrecy they needed. However, she wished they’d spent a few more credits on better lodgings.
Someone was having sex next door.
The groaning grew louder, joined now by female cries.
In between grunts of encouragement, they were murmuring to each other.
Jenna listened, her breathing growing shallow.
No one had ever growled such things to her.
