The membrane opened and she hurried inside, swallowing her disappointment when she saw who was gathered there.
On the other side of the large briefing table, Major Ontarii stood behind his human mate, his arms around her waist, his face nestled at her neck, planting kisses and harvesting enjoyment from his female.
Kat looked away quickly, her face almost heating at the sight of Major Ontarii’s skin flushed a shade very near to lavender.How embarrassing.
Looking at the regent and his lady love wasn’t much better. She was stationed on his knee, a possessive arm around her middle, while he smiled down into her cherubic face.
What the hell is happening around here?Kat considered the possibility that the humans were in league to take over Zanthar through seduction.
Turning to face the other inhabitants of the room, Kat blanked her face. The three human crewmates were settled into chairs around the oval table, talking quietly.
Suddenly Jeffrey’s head came up, his eyes locking on hers. A ghost of a smile lit his features.
Kat looked away, pulling up a seat at the table and crossing her arms in front of her on its smooth surface. She stared at her hands, wishing more than anything to be anywhere else but here.
“I see you took your time getting here,” the regent said when he noticed her presence.
“Apologies,” Kat said softly. “I requisitioned the fastest scout ship available and selected my crew. We should be ready to depart when ordered.”
“Good,” the regent said. “I want you and the lieutenant on your way within the hour.
“Your Majesty,” the human male said. “If I may speak?”
Rasveen nodded. Sylvia giggled, amused by the ironic formality in the lieutenant’s voice. An irony that was missed by her mate.
“I think it makes sense to try and talk to the prisoner again before we take off. He might have information that could be of use.”
Kat considered his words, then shook her head. “I don’t think it’s worth wasting our time. That creature is not going to talk. And even if it does, how would we know if it was telling the truth?”
“It won’t take long,” Jeffrey countered. “And any information, whether trustworthy or not, has to be better than flying blind into God knows what.”
Rasveen considered their words. Kat’s eyes skittered to her commander’s face. Major Ontarii was staring at her, a considering light in his dark eyes.
“I agree with the human,” the regent said at last. “You will attempt to interrogate the prisoner before you depart. But don’t take too long. I want you out of here as soon as possible. We need that human ship.”
Kat nodded, rising from the table. She had no choice. She was stuck with the human. Any argument on her part would just burn much-needed minutes in the fight against the Hareema.
Without a word in Jeffrey’s direction, she headed toward the exit.
“Lieutenant Yarr.” The regent’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
She turned back to face him. “Yes, Supreme Regent?”
“I trust you to bring back the human ship with your crew intact. And I trust you to cooperate with your human counterpart.”
“I have no problem with that, as long as he obeys my orders.”
“About that,” Rasveen said, the corner of his lips curving up. “It’s actually the other way around.”
“Pardon me?”
Jeffrey stood from his seat and sauntered over with a gnarshark’s grin on his handsome face. “He’s saying I’m in charge, sweetheart.”
Kat’s overburdened brain couldn’t take anymore. Her control snapped. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I won’t stand for it!”
“Are you disobeying my orders?” Rasveen barked, his voice deep and full of authority.
“If your orders are to obey this…this…”
