I took a step forward and put up my hands. “Fine. Put down the syringe and I will let you leave.”
The shapeshifter tilted up his bony chin. “She comes with me.”
I nodded once. “Put it down. Just don’t hurt her. I’ll let you both go.”
The foolish alien removed the syringe and put it in his pocket.
‘Now!’ I called out to Grace as I moved and Krin fired at the shapeshifter.
The scrawny alien screamed and fell back having been shot in the upper body. He clutched at the wound and began to beg for his life.
Grace stumbled as I charged forward to catch her in my arms.
“He killed your father,” she blurted.
Narrowing my eyes at the shapeshifter, I released Grace, pushing her behind me.
Krin stepped up and led her toward the door while I lifted the scrawny creature off the floor until his feet were dangling.
“What were you doing to my K’sha?”
His mouth opened and closed as I shook him. He put up his hands, clawing at my arms. “Not...telling you,” he choked out.
Grace was next to me again. “He said there are cloaked ships above Alara...is there a way to detect them?”
I glowered at the spindly creature as he bled out. “How many ships?”
He raised his hand, holding up two fingers.
“Tell me how to find them.”
His eyes bulged. “Can’t.”
I squeezed his throat, furious. The shapeshifters eye’s closed just as his neck snapped and I dropped him to the floor.
TURNING TO GRACE Iran my hands along her body. “Did he hurt you?”
“No,” she declared, her voice unwavering. “But I want to get this bloody implant out asap.”
With a swift motion, I lifted her into my arms with her body pressed against mine. Her arms encircled my neck as she leaned her head against me.
Although she didn’t appear upset with me, I would still ask for her forgiveness once she was attended to.
I side glanced at Krin who kept pace with me.
“We need to locate those cloaked ships orbiting the planet and eliminate them,” I ordered.
“Yes, Prince Trex.”
REKNA’S FACE WAS ETCHEDwith concern as I entered the infirmary, cradling Grace in my arms.
He pointed to one of the beds. “Put her down over there.”
I placed Grace on the medical bed, and she immediately began relaying what had happened.
He nodded and glanced at me. “There was a nagging feeling inside me that something was off about him. The object will be scanned and removed promptly.”
I nodded, but didn’t move.
