“Security would be of utmost importance. We’d employ the latest technology, perhaps even seek assistance from IPA allies.”
The notion of joining forces, of bridging gaps not just between our two companies, but between races and worlds, was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. “You’ve been thinking about this for a while,” I realized.
He gave a slight nod. “Ever since I saw what they did to Ky’rn. It made me wonder how many more aliens there are, suffering in silence.”
I took a deep breath, mulling over his words. The challenge was daunting, but the possibility of making a tangible difference was enticing. “Can we pull it off?”
Roman’s lips quirked in a half-smile. “With our combined resources? I believe we can.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
KY’RN
The dim lighting from above cast shadows on the floor, and my reflection wavered in the water’s surface as I continued my restless circuit around the tank. The rhythmic sound of water sloshing gently was a small comfort, but it did little to ease the weight in my chest.
Every time I closed my eyes, images of Isla danced in front of me.
Her presence had always been a soothing balm to my senses. It grounded me, gave me something tangible to hold onto.
But now, her absence was an open wound.
Every anxious tremor, every suppressed pang of fear I felt from her was like a vise around my heart.
An idea began to form in my mind. If tomorrow was to be the day of my departure, then tonight, I needed to communicate with her one last time. I had to make sure she was all right.
I closed my eyes, focusing my energy, trying to reach out to her, beckoning her toward me. The mark I had left on Isla was never meant to be a leash, but a sign of the bond we’d forged, one that few of my kind ever bestowed upon another.
I felt the distant flutter of her emotions, as if carried by the undercurrents of an ocean, but they were muted and distorted. I could sense her anxiety, her restlessness, but not the reasons behind them.
The uncertainty gnawed at me. I wanted to be there for her, to comfort her, to understand what was causing her distress. I had no means of approaching her, trapped in this place. The knowledge that she might be in some kind of danger, maybe even because of her connection to me, was agonizing.
I needed to see her. To look into her eyes and reassure myself that she was alright. The feelings I had developed for her were intense, overwhelming. This bond wasn’t just a superficial connection. It was deep, soul-deep, and I feared that if something happened to her, it would shatter me.
I would not leave this planet without seeing her, without understanding the depth of our connection and why she affected me so. And if there was a threat lurking around her, I was ready to face it and protect her, no matter the cost.
A soft chime echoing in the chamber pulled me from my thoughts. When the doors slid open, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Isla stood there, alone, dressed in a long, flowing purple gown that draped around her like a waterfall of amethyst. There was a strain on her face, and guilt lingered in her eyes. It worried me deeply, but she had come, and that was all that mattered.
With swift, determined movements, she went to the wall and retrieved the security device from her pouch. Once it was activated, she rushed over to the tank. Ignoring my hand pressed against the glass, she kicked off her shoes before darting up the stairs to reach me.
I jetted to the surface, eager to greet her at the ledge, and raised my hand toward her. She lifted the folds of her dress and knelt down, offering her hand to me.
“I had to see you.”Our eyes met in a silent exchange.“I called out to you. I needed to speak with you one last time,”I admitted, my voice low and filled with longing.
Her gaze held mine, reflecting a storm of thoughts and feelings.“Why does everything come back to you?”Her mental voice trembled.“There’s so much happening and so much I wish I could tell you…I’d like to learn more about this mark and what’s happening between us.”
“Speak to me,”I implored, sensing her hesitation.“Don’t leave me in the dark when your emotions are laid bare to me.”
“I came to say goodbye,”she murmured, tears filling her eyes.“And to explain…”
I felt a sharp pang in my chest.“Goodbye? Why?”
Isla hesitated, her gaze shifting away, as if the weight of her truths was too much to bear. She blinked back tears, and her grip on my hand tightened.“There are politics at play, Ky’rn. Complex, dangerous games. Sometimes freedom comes at a cost. And to ensure the safety of my people, and yours…I have to be a pawn.”
My chest tightened at her words, a growing dread creeping in.“Whose pawn? What have you done?”
She hesitated, and the weight of unspoken words hung heavily in the air.“I have a lot to say,”Isla began, her voice tinged with uncertainty.“I don’t even know where to start.”
“I have time,”I assured her, hoping to ease some of the apprehension that seemed to envelop her.
