Olivia shuddered.
I shook my head and went over to her, putting my arm around her shoulder. “No worries. Trex said he’ll make sure we’re safe and I believe him.”
I glared at Avery, daring her to open her mouth again.
He may not have romantic feelings for me, but I don’t think he meant us any harm.
Avery made a derisive noise and walked to the other side of the room and sat down.
Riley let out a sigh and glanced at Olivia and me. “Pay no attention to Avery. I’m going to ask to speak to Joele.”
“I’m coming with you,” I declared, hoping to diffuse the situation if I could.
Riley walked up to the door and pressed the panel on the side. Nothing happened.
Again, she did it.
The door remained closed.
A trace of worry snaked through me.
Why were we still locked in? With furrowed brows, Riley and Avery positioned themselves on either side of me.
“Why won’t it open?” asked Riley, looking less casual than moments earlier.
My mouth fell open. “It’s locked.” It looked as though I’d underestimated these new aliens, after all.
I had felt sure Trex wouldn’t keep us locked in now that we had more information.
Shaking my head, I braced myself for Avery’s next outburst.
Instead, the scared and angry woman pounded on the door.
Riley and I exchanged a worried glance.
Within seconds, the door slid open and there was Orin, looking even more imposing than last time.
He stared back at us with his brows raised to his hairline as if to say, what now?
“Why is the fucking door locked?” demanded Avery.
And there it was, her expected outburst. I folded my arms and watched.
Orin’s mouth was a straight line. “Captain’s orders. We won’t harm you and don’t represent a danger to you. However, we also do not want you to do anything foolish,” he declared.
Avery narrowed her gaze. “You mean like trying to escape?”
“That’sexactlywhat I mean,” Orin replied, crossing his arms across his wide chest. “We don’t want any of you to attempt something dangerous. The ship has areas that are potentially hazardous.”
Riley looked at Avery before shaking her head. “I don’t think any of us are that foolish.” she rolled her eyes at Orin.
“We want to see Joele,” I said, putting my hands on my hips.
With a defeated sigh, Orin took a step back from the door and began walking down the corridor.
“Are you taking us to Joele?” I called out, following him and attempting to sound more courteous than Avery.
“Yes, I am,” he stated with a half-shrug as he walked down the corridor
