Lero’s look was sharp as he side-eyed Darren. “Who?”
“The brown-haired quiet one. Prosperity, I think her name is.”
His brother blew out a breath and looked ahead of him. “What is it with human females? They seem to have bewitched us.”
“They’re compatible with us,” Darren added. That was all he was prepared to say. He didn’t know the reason more than anyone else. They passed a guard and they were at theelevator. Darren sent the guard to collect Aelanna.
“And the girl next door, the room next to hers,” called Lero to the guard’s back. The guard raised his hand without turning, signaling he understood. Darren placed his palm against the call plate. The doors opened and they stepped inside.
A look of horror possessed Lero’s face for a second and he locked eyes with Darren.
“You didn’t... compromise her, did you?”
Darren gave his brother a wry look, as if he should know better. He wanted to make a sarcastic retort, but it wouldn’t achieve anything.
“I didn’t, brother. She will reach her destination untouched, relatively speaking.” He couldn’t resist it. “Yours?”
Lero gave him a filthy look, but their verbal sparring was cut short. They had reached diner level and the elevator doors slid open.
The diner was nearly full, mostly of warriors and ship personnel. They were still waiting for a few guests, including Kora and Aelanna. Nayli and the other girls were present; while Lero took a seat, Darren went over to her.
“How’s Blayze?” he asked.
She nodded. “He’s doing fine. They are checking for concussion and he won’t be here.” Her tone was bright, and so were her eyes, but he could sense her tension. “And how are you?”
“Fine, thanks,” she assured him as she looked up into his eyes, hers bright with tears she couldn’t hold back. “Thank you for saving us, Darren.”
He merely nodded. Choked with emotion, he returned to Lero and took a seat next to him. The females had had a shock, as they didn’t have enough to deal with to get their heads around being sent to Drypso, and handed over to the Ohirins. Hopefully, Joel would explain more about the attack by the Drek and answer some questions.
With Kora, Aelanna came in, looking exquisite in the ivory dress that Darren had altered for her, hair loose about her shoulders. His heart turned over, her loveliness reminding him that it hurt that they could never be together. She didn’t sit at his table. She and Kora sat with Nayli and the other girls.
Pilot Joel entered with Christoff, and they stood in a space in front of the counters where everyone could see them. It was almost dinner time, and everyone was hungry, the feeling made worse by the delicious smells of food in the air and dishes appearing from the kitchen and filling thebain-mariesof the counter.
“Good evening, everyone, and thank you for attending this meeting.” The pilot stood with his feet apart, and hands clasped behind his back.
“You all wish to know about the surprise attack by the Drek. It’s been neutralized and the Drek were repelled. Some of you know that they boarded, and all of you are worried if there is an ongoing threat. We don’t believe so; we think this was a single incident, but we will be vigilant going forward, and the ship is in war mode until we arrive on Drypso.
“The cargo hold was compromised. It’s been patched until a full repair team can get to it, but it’s out of bounds until then. Don’t attempt to enter it, and that is an order. I’m still collecting details of the attack for my report. In the meantime, we’ll do our best to answer questions.”
He glanced at Christoff.
A low murmur rumbled round the room, and someone called out,
“Why did they do it?”
“We don’t know. Drek are normally peaceful and allies of ours. They tried to kidnap our human guests.” Joel flicked a concerned glance at the brown-haired female.So, he was interested in her.
“They entered by the cargo hold, breaching the outer wall and attaching a flexible tunnel, and almost succeeded in taking three humans onto their own ship, but thanks tothe bodyguards’ quick thinking, they didn’t succeed, and we fought the Drek off,” Joel explained.
“Where were the frigates that were supposed to protect us?” A warrior yelled.
“They froze them out. Ohirins and Drek are cold-blooded. They don’t work below a critical temperature, but they’re back to normal now, protecting us again,” Christoff added. “Command will want to know why they allowed themselves to be taken unawares.”
Joel waited for any more questions and then concluded his talk.
“Guests, remain in your cabins except for mealtimes; warriors and crew, be vigilant. Always be armed and never go anywhere in less than pairs. We don’t think there will be a repeat attack, but we can’t guarantee it.”
He locked eyes with Darren. “You two, come to the bridge for updated orders immediately.”
