Chapter 3
Ellie
Aliens were real.
I'd known this for some time now, spoken to the Prime dozens of times via comm, had briefed my agents on the reality of extraterrestrial life, but nothing could have prepared me for the visceral shock of standing in the same room with them. I felt the tension radiating off my security detail like heat waves, bodies coiled tight, ready to spring into action at the first sign of danger.
Of course, only one of them actually resembled the standard big-headed gray being depicted in countless movies and conspiracy theories. And even he shattered expectations, standing well over six feet with a physique that would make an Olympic athlete weep with envy. The rest represented entirely different species, each more striking than the last.
There was one who reminded me of the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz, except there was nothing cowardly about him. He was undeniably, distractingly attractive in a way that made my cheeks warm. Another appeared almost human, save for his crimson skin and eyes that glowed like rubies catching firelight. Then there was what I could only describe as an orc made flesh. Tall, powerfully built, with gorgeous emerald skin, thick black hair cascading past his shoulders, and ivory tuskscurving up from his lower lip. One looked like he'd stepped directly out of a Renaissance painting of Satan himself, complete with a bifurcated tail that swished lazily behind him.
And then there was the angel.
My breath caught the moment I saw him. Tall and broad-shouldered, with muscles that rippled beneath copper-toned skin that seemed to glow in the light. His hair was a deep, lustrous black, pulled into a carelessly perfect man bun high on his head that somehow made him look both warrior-like and devastatingly handsome. His features were classical—almost Romanesque—with a straight nose, a firm jaw, full lips that looked like they'd been carved by a master sculptor, and eyes so dark brown they appeared to be made of melted chocolate. He was exactly how I'd always imagined the warrior archangel Michael might look, except instead of feathered wings, massive leathery ones folded against his back, the membranes catching the light like burnished metal.
His gaze found mine and held it, and his expression shifted, curiosity mixed with something else I couldn't quite name. Something that made my pulse quicken and my skin tingle with awareness.
It took every ounce of willpower I possessed to tear my gaze away from him, forcing myself to focus on the only other female in the room besides myself.
The Alliance Prime was breathtaking. She stood well over six feet tall, her slender frame draped in what appeared to be ceremonial robes in shades of red, purple and teal that shimmered with each subtle movement. Instead of skin, a soft golden pelt covered her body, catching the light like velvet. Her dark hair formed an elaborate crown of braids, which spoke of both artistry and authority. Despite her imposing size, her features were decidedly feminine—high, elegant cheekbones, full lips that curved with natural grace. But it was her eyes thattruly marked her as otherworldly. Deep pools of molten gold that seemed to glow from within, set against sclera the brilliant turquoise of the Mediterranean Sea on a cloudless summer day.
I took another step forward, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor, and immediately felt the two Secret Service agents flanking me go rigid with tension. Chase Wilkie, the agent in charge, shifted his weight and positioned himself directly in front of me, his hand moving almost imperceptibly toward his weapon. I understood their wariness. Their sole purpose was to protect me, to throw themselves between me and any threat. But as I studied the assembled aliens, I didn't sense even a whisper of danger or malice. If anything, the way the copper-skinned warrior kept his dark eyes fixed on me felt almost... protective. Watchful in a way that made my stomach flutter with something that definitely wasn't fear.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Madame President," the Prime said, her voice melodious and warm as she pressed her palms together in a prayerful gesture and bowed gracefully from the waist.
"It is my pleasure," I answered, stepping deliberately around Chase and shooting him a glance that I hoped conveyed both reassurance and a clear directive to stand down. "Although I must admit to being more than a bit curious about the nature of your request." That was the understatement of the century.
The Prime's luminous golden eyes held mine for a long, weighted moment before her expression softened into something that looked almost like relief. "I have long enjoyed our communications," she began, her voice carrying a warmth that had always put me at ease, "but I thought the weight of this request needed a face-to-face meeting." Then she sighed. A deep, heavy sound with an unmistakable note of worry that made my own chest tighten in response. "I need your help."
"My help?" The words nearly caught in my throat, and I had to concentrate to keep my voice steady rather than letting it crack with surprise. I gestured toward the conference table, inviting her to retake her seat, and settled into the chair beside her with perhaps less grace than I'd intended. My knees had suddenly gone weak, trembling beneath the weight of what she might ask. "The Alliance is far more advanced both militarily and technically than the United States. I cannot imagine how we might possibly be of assistance, but I will do everything in my power to accommodate your request." And I meant every word. Not only because maintaining good relations with the Alliance was in my country's best interest, but because I had the distinct impression that the Prime was not the type of leader who would ask for help unless she truly, desperately needed it.
Her golden eyes studied me with an intensity that made me feel simultaneously exposed and understood. Her lips pursed in careful consideration as she seemed to weigh exactly how much to reveal. "I need your help in taking custody of a human male."
Well, I definitely hadn't expected that. My mind raced through a dozen possibilities, none of them making sense. "Excuse me?"
"Declan Hewes," she said, the name dropping between us like a stone into still water.
Part of me felt genuinely surprised by the revelation, while another part—the part that had learned to trust my instincts—wasn't surprised at all. "Declan Hewes?" I repeated, buying myself a moment to process. "Why?"
The Prime's gaze swept around the room, pausing on each of my Secret Service agents in turn, taking their measure with the practiced eye of someone who had commanded galaxies. When her eyes finally returned to mine, they wereclear, direct, and filled with a gravity that made my pulse quicken with apprehension.
"We have recently discovered that Declan Hewes is behind the abduction of humans from Earth."
The words hit me like a physical blow, an icy finger of dread tracing its way up my spine with hateful slowness. My breath caught as the implications crashed over me. Of course, I knew about alien abductions. Each report I received was a testament to horrors I could never publicly acknowledge. The creatures that perpetrated them worked outside of Alliance boundaries, operating beyond our reach, and there was precious little the government could do without revealing the existence of aliens to the public. And there was no way in hell we were ready for that yet.
Over the years, I had reached out to the Prime for help with these cases, and she'd always done her best to assist. I especially remembered a group of elderly women who'd vanished from the Appalachian Trail around the time I became President. The case haunted me for weeks until I learned from the Prime that they were all rescued and well—happy, even—in their new lives among the stars.
Yet even with everything I'd learned about the darkness lurking beyond our atmosphere, it was still hard to believe a human was behind the enslavement of his own people. Even Declan Hewes, with all his calculated ambition and cold charm, seemed above such depravity. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," the Prime said readily, and I could tell from the tightness around her eyes that it gave her no pleasure to deliver the news. "There have been two recent instances that have solidified his guilt. First, he was involved in trying to kidnap a child with the help of the Kwado prince. A scheme that was thankfully thwarted by our Zarpazian allies. And second, just a few weeks ago, he tried to kidnap a human female, HarperQuinn, which led us to discover his compound off the coast of Florida and a dozen other females he had abducted."
"Harper Quinn." I let the name roll over my tongue as memories surfaced. A brave face at a somber ceremony, grief held in check by sheer force of will. "I know her. We gave her the Medal of Valor for her husband."
"Yes, she is a courageous female as well," the Prime agreed, respect coloring her tone. "She is currently safe aboard an Alliance vessel."
"Hewes runs the slave trade." The words tasted like ash in my mouth, my stomach churning with revulsion. I dared a glance at my copper-colored alien, finding him watching me intently. Strangely, his gaze didn't make me feel awkward or scrutinized but protected. Like he would tear apart anyone who tried to harm me. Odd to be sure, but strangely welcome.
"We also learned that Hewes operated a compound on one of Neptune's moons, specifically geared toward manipulating Earth's technology." The Prime's voice took on a harder edge, anger simmering beneath her controlled exterior.
