He put all of his pent-up passion and fear and need into the kiss. When at last he pulled away, his mate was breathless and flushed.
“Wow,” she whispered.
The Hareema was vibrating agitatedly, obviously wanting them to get a move on. Ontarii put an arm around the human female, keeping her close to him. The reflective surface started to bend itself around them, covering them on all sides.
Soon they found themselves in a bubble of silver. The silver turned opaque on the inside, and they could now see out. But on the outside, Ontarii was sure, it would remain reflective, fooling the watchers while allowing them to travel through the chamber without notice.
The bubble started forward and Ontarii and Jennifer kept up pace, walking forward as it sheltered them. Ontarii wondered if the other inhabitants would notice anything amiss. No one seemed to cause an uproar, so it seemed they might get away after all.
Thinking about the other prisoners reminded Ontarii of the Minister of Defense who was being held in the same chamber.
“Wait,” he whispered, halting immediately.
The bubble vibrated, clearly upset at his pause.
“We can’t leave without Drake. I won’t let him remain in the Hareema’s clutches while I go free.”
The vibrations increased in intensity. It wasn’t something his helper agreed with.
“I mean it,” he said. “I won’t go a step further if you don’t rescue Drake. We can all die here, or you can help me bring out the Minister of Defense alive.”
Finally, the reluctant bubble gave in. It started rolling in the direction of Drake’s cell. When they appeared in front of him, Ontarii noticed the Minister of Defense was in the same position as hours before, his head drooped down until his chin almost rested on his chest.
The Hareema rolled right up to the edge of the cage and extended a thin piece of itself to insert into the lock. It clicked open, and Drake’s head snapped up at the noise.
“Who’s there?” he demanded loudly, his tone confrontational.
The Hareema bubble folded in on itself to create a slight opening, exposing Jennifer and Ontarii so that Drake could see them.
“Minister, we have no time. You must come with us.”
Drake’s eyes widened, then he scowled, shaking his head. “This is another enemy trick, and I won’t be toyed with.”
He slumped back down in his cell, paying no more attention to the spectacle in front of him.
“Minister, this is no trick. I am Major Ontarii, and this is the human ship captain, Jennifer Brooklyn. We were captured by Hareema and are making our escape with the help of their rebel forces.”
“Rebel forces,” Drake muttered. “Now I know you’re lying. There is no Hareema rebellion. They are a united front, but you would know that. You are one of them.”
“You’re wrong,” Ontarii said. They were running out of time, and he couldn’t get involved in a lengthy debate. How could he convince Drake that he was who he said he was?
Jennifer tapped him on the arm.
“Do the thing,” she said. “The electric thing.”
Of course!Quickly Ontarii built a charge of bioelectricity and then held out his hand. Aiming at the captive minister he sent out a short but strong jolt.
The energy zapped the minister and he fell backward. Drake immediately sprang up, his eyes clearer than they had been before.
“You’re not lying,” he growled. “You are Zantharian.”
Ontarii nodded. The Hareema could not create actual bioelectricity for themselves, only the illusion of it. Drake knew that.
“Why have you gone black and how long has it been since it happened?” Drake asked, concern brushing across his strong features.
“It’s been a day or so, and don’t ask. It’s none of your damned business,” Ontarii barked.
The minister nodded and moved forward, stepping into the bubble beside them. It quickly sealed them all in and began moving forward towards the exit.
