I tighten my hand around his neck. All it would take is letting my Shifter have an ounce of control. And he would snap like a twig.
“Stop! Release him!” A security team has found us.
The man before me grins, blinks, lighting up blue implants in his eyes. Then he vanishes like he has a portal wrapped around his body.
Anger surges. I curl my hand into a fist and punch the wall. If I don’t release the compounding frustration soon,I’mgoing to snap. “If you hadn’t interrupted, I could’ve found out what he wanted with Tessi!”
They lower their rifles. “Who was that?”
I storm past them. “Maybeyoushould look into it.”
The man I assume is the security team’s squad leader calls after me. “Where are you going? You need to answer some questions!”
“I have to care for my now-drugged female.” I glare back at them. I thought this facility was supposed to be secure. “How aboutyougetyourshit in order before you come asking me questions about what’s going on withyourproperty and why so many of our enemies seem to just come and go as they please!”
Entering the mingle celebration, I find Spike and Carnas have moved Tessi to a cushioned bench. Carielle hovers close by. She clicks her tongue as she sips a martini.
Sliding my arms under Tessi, I curl her against my chest and straighten. Carnas and Spike have their own females to worry about.
“Thank you,” I say.
Carnas tilts his head toward the door. “Medics are on their way with a bed.”
Spike gives me a nod.
I carry Tessi out of the mingle hall and toward the female’s medical wing.
“Zorin Aegeris?”
I stop.What now?
When I turn around, I discover General Viriden stalking down the corridor, skin glowing from inside his armor with ten radiant males at his back, and two females. Other racers in the hallway stop to gawk at them.
Viriden looks around, then motions the medical staff over with the gurney. “I would prefer if you stayed on my ship. We have an excellent medical team. Your team is not here yet.”
“Mine?”
“They are en route with an M-pack ship and your Star Slasher. Please…” He motions for me to lay Tessi on the hovering bed.
“Yes, sir.” I reluctantly lay her back and let the staff float her down the hallway toward the private hangar of the males’ wing. General Viriden waits until I join him, then walks beside me instead of ahead of me as a General should. His team moves to surround Tessi, not him.
“Don’t worry, Zorin. There are more soldiers watching us than you can see. I am sorry I could not arrive sooner. Earth’s security is tight, but sometimes it is a hindrance for those of us who follow the rules. Funny how that works, isn’t it?”
“It’s not funny. It is a vulnerability. Earth does not have good immediate threat condition exceptions.”
“Agreed.” He folds his hands behind him. “And that was meant to be a joke. Humans say something is funny when it is frustratingly ironic.”
“I see.” I can’t stop looking at Tessi. “Why do Nebs want her?”
Viriden checks something on his wristband, then hangs his arms at his sides again. “There is a small faction of Nebulous soldiers that think she can change the war.”
“But that doesn’t make sense if she doesn’t have any…skills.”
“Are you certain?”
“Well, no. I mean, we just met.”
He rubs his jaw. “Then I guess we better find out when she’s awake.”
