Naeris was quiet for a long moment. Thinking. Calculating. I could practically see the internal debate happening behind her eyes. Then, finally, she exhaled slowly through her nose.
“They prefer weaker worlds. Easier to exploit. Or they used to, until they started harvesting humans from Earth.”
Something dangerous flickered across Xandros’ expression instantly. Zapharos noticed too. The Praetor of War’s voice turned very calm. “Explain.”
Naeris hesitated again. Not because she feared us. Because she was deciding whether we were useful. Which made her formidable in my eyes.
“They came to Earth a very long time ago,” Naeris continued carefully. “Humans were primitive compared to them. Easy prey.”
“And they took your people,” Ashley whispered.
Naeris laughed softly. A terrible sound. “They took whoever they wanted.”
The hatred pouring off her now was almost tangible. “They discovered some humans had… abilities. Rare ones.”
Dravok straightened subtly beside Zapharos.
“What kind of abilities?” Ella asked.
Naeris’ eyes darkened.
“Useful ones,” she said carefully.
Not enough. Ella opened her mouth again, but Naeris cut her off smoothly before she could continue. “I think we’ve reached the part where I stop casually handing over highly dangerousinformation to people who still haven’t decided whether I’m a guest, prisoner, or science experiment.”
Ashley winced. “Fair.”
Naeris’ gaze swept slowly across the room.
“You want answers.” Her eyes lingered briefly on Zapharos, then Xandros. “So do I.”
Something sharp entered her expression. “I’ve spent my entire life surrounded by beings stronger than me deciding what information I was allowed to have.” Her arms folded tighter across her chest. “I’m not particularly eager to repeat the experience.”
She wasn't refusing, she was negotiating. A feat for a person in her position that was admirable.
Xandros seemed to realize it, too.
“What do you want?” he asked bluntly.
Naeris considered him for a long moment.
“Reassurance,” she said finally.
The word hung strangely in the chamber.
Zapharos tilted his head slightly. “Of what?”
“That you’re not going to hand me, my crew, and my prisoners back the moment the Sythari come asking politely enough.”
A dangerous stillness settled over the room immediately. Because suddenly the conversation was no longer theoretical. Naeris genuinely believed that was a possibility.
The others saw it too.
"Very well. Let's take a break and continue this conversation in the morning, shall we?" Xandros offered.
I wasn't even close to ready to leave her side, yet I couldn't wait to get as far away from her as possible. I needed time to think, to digest.
Just as we were about to leave, Ella turned. She looked pleadingly at Naeris. "Wait. One more question, please."
