“And what? I am supposed to feel sorry for you? You killed the king. Why?”Come on Trex. Find me.
He appeared to contemplate it, then his shoulders twitched in what appeared to be a shrug. “To destabilize Alara of course. We also need to weaken the Protectorate Forces so we can have access to what we need. By removing the leader of Alaran space, the Krilex can gain that access. And supply unlimited living human incubators.”
The mad medic continued. He turned and picked up a syringe and vial. “Now, I will prepare you for travel. You will be unconscious, but unharmed. When you wake, you will be on our science vessel. The largest in the fleet.” He seemed quite pleased with himself as he released my wrists.
“My leader Leox87003 will be happy I found you. Once the implant prepares your womb, you will make an excellent incubator for our species.”
He paused and put a skinny finger in the air. “Before we go, There is one more thing I have to take care of. It’s a shame my brethren failed in killing Prince Trex’Ul, but I am sure the Prince will give us what we want with no problem.”
“Trex...” I quickly corrected myself. “The Prince will never let you get away with this. He won’t give in to your demands.” I carefully touched my bruised wrists as they ached.
A sinister grin lit up his face. “He will when he knows I have his precious K’sha.”
33
Trex
SHE’S GONE!Orin’s groggy voice announced in my mind. I picked up my stride. “Something has happened to Grace.” I said aloud as Krin and I ran to my suite where I’d left Grace.
We arrived to find Orin on the floor, leaning against the wall with his feet straight out in front of him.
“Tell me what happened?” I asked.
Krin and I stretched out our hands to help him up, but he shook his head. “I can’t move.” His voice was laced with anger.
“Who has Grace?”
“The new medic from the infirmary came up and said he needed to speak with Grace. I informed him he would need to wait for your return. After he sprayed something in my face, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I couldn’t move. It seems likely that he injected me with something.”
I called for Rekna to report to my quarters to look after Orin.
The warrior’s eyes filled with remorse. “I yelled for Grace, but she didn’t answer.” Frustrated, he growled, “He has taken her and I couldn’t stop him. I am sorry, Prince.”
I roared not because I was upset with Orin but because I knew something was off with the new medic and said nothing.
“How long ago did he leave with her?”
“I don’t know.”
I took off down the corridor, following the now faint sweet floral scent of my K’sha while I called out to her with my mind.
‘Trex?’Grace’s voice echoed in my head.
‘Yes...where are you?’I didn’t stop moving.
‘I’m not sure. It looks like a lab of some kind. Maybe underground. Hurry Trex! He is planning to take me away from Alara to a ship cloaked above the planet.’
Gods.My mind raced to what I’d just learned from the prisoner. He was a shapeshifter. I wondered if the medic was one as well. I hadn’t tried to listen to his thoughts earlier, so it was possible he was one of them and I’d missed it.
Flutz.. It’s my fault Grace is in danger.
The trail abruptly stopped at the exit of one of the corridors. It led to the royal gardens.
I called out to Grace once more while stopping. ‘Hold tight, I’m coming for you.’I could sense her fear and anger, and I prayed for her forgiveness for my inability to protect her once more.
Krin halted and rested his hands on his hips. “Have you lost her scent?”
My chest rumbled. “She’s not in here. I believe she’s being held somewhere beneath the palace in the old tunnels.”
