A female in black darted across the common, her steps delicate.The delicate footfalls told him not-human.Her small frame said Maloidian as did the sweet organic musk of her scent.He waited until she neared.
She didn’t.
He couldn’t peek again without revealing his presence.The familiar tap of a blaster button had him diving into the doorway.The sting of a stun registered when he hit the floor, jarring his shoulder.His right arm had numbed.
He lunged after the fleeing female.She was fast, slipping out before he could reach her.Outside, he fought his shock that anyone would dare to attack on their home ground.He allowed anger to propel him after her.She took him through a maze of rocky pathways until she breached the royal gardens.He didn’t bother to mark where he was or how to return.Catching her was imperative.
She sprinted ahead; so did he.And at last, he tackled her to the ground, the momentum sliding them across the gravel.
He used his weight to pin her when he had only his left arm.“Who sent you?”he demanded.“Who?”he roared when she didn’t answer.He flipped her over but kept her in place.Knocking back her hood revealed the pale-yellow features of Korre.
She smirked.“Hello, Cylo.”Her gaze dipped to his naked form.
“Why Wren?”he asked.“Speak or die.”He wrapped his fingers around her throat and squeezed, backing up the threat.
She laughed.“You will not kill me.”She touched her lips then his, spreading a familiar bitterness.The tingle on the tip of his tongue confirmed her choice of poison.
He scoffed.“The venom of the Foutas frog cannot harm an operative.”
Her eyes widened, and fear darkened her cheeks.“I cannot tell you.Exile is certain death.”
“Why Wren?Can you share that?”
She glanced to the side.“If you vow to kill me…” She met his gaze.“I have failed twice.It is unacceptable for—”
“A Serratu Kayarra.”He leaned back, granting her a little breathing room.“Very well.What do you know?”Such a question triggered his O.D.I.to begin recording.
“The Earthian carries evidence of Maloidian attempts to destroy…Etteria.”
“You speak of Iphara.”
“Yes.Chemicals injected into weak females to create sexual compatibility.But this is a side effect.The true goal is to create biological weapons no Eth would suspect.”
“Part of this plan we are aware of.It has been documented and thwarted.How would Wren be a weapon?How can she be triggered?And what could a small female do to us?”He frowned at this not making sense.“What of the other females?They carry the evidence, as well.”
“A Durn—”
“Alodon’s balls,” he hissed.And I delivered him to the battleship.Ice drenched him, but he stayed in place.“Who sent you?”
She pinched her lips.“Barro.Now do as you promised.”
He cupped her cheeks, pressed a kiss to her temple, and snapped her neck.Angling his head, he listened for her heartbeat.When nothing reached his ears, he leapt to his feet and commed Kanzo.He shared what he’d learnt.
“Maker,” Kanzo gasped.“Guard Lady Wren.I will have Barro questioned while I reach out to Supreme Commander Kyah and Jokta.”
“Keep me informed, if you can, Adviser.”Cylo returned to Wren, not bothering with the maze.He took the direct route—through the hole, across the top, and into the crevice.A quick dip in the pool removed the sweat coating his body and any lingering Foutas venom on his lips and tongue.
Dripping wet, he entered her quarters, expecting to find her awake.The silence deafened him.He bolted for her bedroom.
She hadn’t moved, and the burn mark on her thigh said it all.He’d taken the brunt of the stun but not all of it.White blinded his vision as panic tore through him.His O.D.I.wouldn’t work here.And he wasn’t leaving her, not again.He faced the display vid in the common room.“Warrior-on-duty,” he said.“Send Medic Ariez to Lady Wren now.She has been wounded.”
“Acknowledged.”
Cylo returned to her side and gathered her in his arms, taking the time to cover all but her thigh with the blanket.Her heartbeat calmed him as did her reedy breathing.She was alive, warm, and not bleeding.Three facts he used to bolster his unstable hope.
“What happened?”Ariez strode in, knelt beside the bed, and used his med-gun on her.
“A stun from a Maloidian,” Cylo said.
