“To give you time.”
Vikan eyed him and then said, “You were not planning to return.”
Lihvan huffed out a sharp laugh.“No.The Jetutians must truly believe that we have been hoarding our resources, or else they would not make such ludicrous demands.No…they will find out soon enough.But before they do, themomentthey take me on board, you must escape and do it swiftly.I do not trust Gribrak to keep his word not to harm the vessel.Jetutians never keep their word.”
Vikan shook his head.“No, I will not allow you to do this.”
“We have no choice.”
“I will go in your place.One Ambassador is as good as another,” Vikan said, clasping a hand on Lihvan’s shoulder.“I have nothing more to lose.And you…your Instinct has chosen a female for you.You have everything to lose.”
Lihvan’s chest squeezed when he thought of Beks, at the possibility, but then he turned her away from his mind.There was no point dwelling on it now, considering that he would most likely die that span.
“No, my friend,” Lihvan said.“I cannot allow you to do that.”When Vikan started to protest, Lihvan continued with, “Gribrak has a personal vendetta against me, as you well remember.He would not take you in my place.This is something that I must do.”
Vikan’s hand clenched on his shoulder.“Lihvan, I do not like this.”
“You do not have to,” he said.“Just make sure that you use this distraction well and you get this vessel back to Luxiria as soon as you can.That is all that I ask in return.”
Vikan went silent.Sharp exhales sounded from his nostrils and his friend wrestled with the knowledge that Lihvan could not be swayed from this.
“And what of your female?” Vikan finally asked.
“She will return to Earth with the others.Back to her home,” Lihvan said, voice rough.“She will never know that my Instinct chose her for me…and perhaps that is for the best.”
Lihvan swallowed his regret and as the transport vessel crept closer and closer, he mourned the loss of her.He would never know what could have been.
SEVEN
Something was wrong.
Beks felt the hair on her arms rise and she slid her palms down, rubbing, trying to shake the sudden feeling of unease that had descended over her like a shroud.
The space ship had given a large lurch a while ago, startling her from a deep sleep.It had taken her a few moments to realize where she was and why…and she couldn’t help but feel disappointment when she realized that Lihvan had not returned to his quarters after what she’d done.
Maybe he’s just not interested, she thought.Maybe she’d misread the situation and assessed his body language through very human eyes.
Getting out of bed, she touched the wall of the room.There was a slight vibration, like a gentle humming, but nothing like what she’d felt when she’d realized that the ship was in flight.They had stopped.But why?Had they already reached Lihvan’s home planet?What had he called it…Luxiria?
She didn’t know why but warning bells were going off in her head.For a moment, she let her mind run wild.She wondered if those lizard-like aliens had caught up with them and were demanding their return.Was something wrong with the ship?Or had Lihvan been lying to her the entire time when he’d said she could go back to Earth?Was he planning to sell them to the highest bidder just like those other aliens?
Breathe, she told herself.Slowly, she approached the door, deciding that she should just go find out for herself.Lihvan might not appreciate that she’d broken out of his room again, but if he had any complaints, then she would handle it.
Mimicking what she did the first time, Beks got the door to slide open once more and she poked her head out.There was no one around and the hallway seemed quiet, so she ventured out.
She remembered the way to the command center, but the closer that Beks got to it, the more she thought something was wrong.The ship’s hallways were completely deserted.Panic began to bubble in her throat as she wondered if these aliens really were as trustworthy as they seemed.
Just as she reached the hallway that led to the command center, she saw Lihvan emerge from its doors, alone.Stifling a surprised gasp, Beks ducked out of sight.Her gut instinct told her that she should be wary and until she got to the bottom of whatever was happening, she’d treat Lihvan’s actions with suspicion.
Hoping that he wouldn’t venture towards the hallway she was currently hiding in, Beks listened intently and gave a silent sigh of relief when she heard his footsteps retreating.She poked her head around the corner and saw him disappear at the opposite end.Only then did she follow him and for the first time, she was thankful that she was barefooted.
For what seemed like hours but was probably only a few minutes, Beks followed the towering alien that she harbored a strange, intense attraction to.A couple times, she thought he’d catch her but she made sure to keep her distance and to be as silent as possible.And damn, she thought she was doing a great job.
Finally, he stopped, halting in front of two large metal doors.Beks hovered next to a piece of machinery, watching, wondering what he was up to.He’d turned his attention to the silver pad next to the door and Beks thought she caught movement on the screen.
Just as she leaned closer to try and get a better view, her toes bumped into the machinery she was hiding behind and Lihvan moved quicker than she thought possible.With a growl, he sprung on her, claws extended.Beks gave a short, startled cry and then Lihvan wrenched his body away, managing to right himself while also capturing her against him.
“Female,” Lihvan rasped into her ear, chest heaving.“I almost…vrax!”
