Chapter 22
They entered the Ministry of Science, and Sylvie suppressed her gag reflex. The place made her sick, but she wouldn't let it show. It was a weakness she couldn’t afford.
Heads raised and eyes widened at their unexpected appearance. She followed X as he made his way to the scientist who had gone maroon on him yesterday.
"I want to speak to Jark'Khal."
"Yes, Supreme Regent." The scientist bowed slightly and started leading them to a familiar corridor. "He's still in a holding cell, per your orders."
Sylvie forced air into her lungs as they walked past the cell where she'd been kept. Even though she herself was a scientist, she wasn't sure if she could get over the trauma of her imprisonment and near-death experience. Maybe this corridor would always give her the creeps.
Doesn't matter.You won't be here for much longer. Odds are you'll never have to walk down this corridor again. Never have to see the inside of one of these cells again.
As long as she could convince the regent to send her home.
You know what you have to do.
Sylvie sighed inwardly. Only as a last resort. She'd try using her brains on him before surrendering her body, though their encounter earlier left her almost willing to push the issue. Never had a man taken her so passionately, her body warming at the remembrance of his mouth pressed to the center of her. She let out a soft groan as his hand grabbed hers.
X’s eyes were boring into her, his expression tense. He must have thought the groan was from fear instead of lust.He's worried about me.
She gave his hand a little squeeze, then tilted the corners of her lips into what she hoped was a reassuring smile, and politely pulled her hand out of his.
No time to become infatuated.It's Earth or bust, remember?
The scientist stopped in front of a cell and placed his hand against the membrane. A slit appeared and he held it open for X and her to pass through. The membrane sealed behind them, and Sylvie turned to confront her captor.
Jark'Khal's color was so deep a blue it reminded her of the ocean depths where little light penetrates.
Despair.That's the color of despair.
The scientist sat on the cushion that resided in the center of the cell. His head was between his hands, hanging almost into his lap. The short tendrils that almost resembled human hair were lying limp against his skull. Sylvie could almost smell the dejection in the thick air of the cell.
"Jark'Khal, I have a few questions." X's voice was filled with tension.
The former lead scientist didn't bother to lift his head. He sat there, unmoving.
"How long have you been working for the Hareema?"
This got his attention. His head whipped up, surprise written large over his dark features. "What?"
"How long? Did you go over to them of your own free will, or have you been replaced? Am I talking to a Hareema right now?"
"You can't be serious!" Jark'Khal's color was rapidly lightening, moving from blue to a red that was growing brighter as she watched.
"You better answer me," X said, as energy waves started pulsating on his muscled arms.
"I'm not an enemy agent!" the man screeched, shaking his head frantically. X still advanced on him, the energy charge he was building up growing brighter. Jark'Khal tucked his head in and huddled in the center of the cushion.
Unexpectedly, Sylvie felt a twinge of sympathy for the guy. The regent was going at him hard, without mercy.
"Wait. He's too shocked to answer you."
"I'll give him a shock." The regent's eyes were glowing, the ring around the pupil almost eclipsing the black. He had to be furious.
"You can't electrocute him, not without proof."
"This is how I get my proof." The waves of energy were increasing in speed. The light it gave off was so bright, Sylvie was fighting not to shield her eyes.
