Page 95 of I Married A Syllen

As soon as the doors slid open with a soft hiss, my bruising grip on Mirella’s hand loosened. Disgusted anger replaced the dread-filled tension that had knotted my back. This room was huge. Despite the two sets of doors outside the elevators implying that two equally sized rooms occupied the top floor, this one took at least two-thirds of it.

The multiple weapons sitting on display stands and workstations indicated we’d entered their new weapons division research department the human named Tedrik had mentioned earlier. However, it was the labs enclosed behind glass walls at the back that claimed our attention. Orian took the lead, marching towards the back while muttering a series of curse words under her breath.

The left lab contained all kinds of flasks and vials filled with unknown substances. Someone had been in the process of distilling a dark red liquid that wasn’t blood. A strange machine with small vials inside was spinning, likely left operating by a technician when we lured them out. One of the giant monitors displayed what resembled a bunch of cells being examined through a microscope.

My fellow Syllens and I barely spared that room any attention and went to the right one instead. It contained a variety of plants potted in reddish soil.

“Crimson Daturas!” Mirella whispered, quickly recognizing the red, flute-shaped flowers we discussed earlier with both the trespassers and Maeve and Tedrik.

Unsurprisingly, she didn’t seem to recognize the other species of plants present here. But none of them looked healthy. Unlike the mutilated trees, these plants didn’t look mistreated. The soil was well-hydrated, and they had adequate lighting, although it came from some lamps instead of natural light.

“Stupid off-worlders…” Orian whispered with contempt.

All of us Syllens snorted, the same disdain plastered over our faces as we smirked at the contents of the lab. Beyond the dying plants, more flasks and powders matching the colors of the various plants sat neatly organized on the workstations.

The Danatus flower needed to be healthy to produce the explosive nectar they coveted. The same thing applied to the other plants here. In order for the nectar to retain its lethal properties, it had to be kept within a specific temperature range, but not cold. And testing probably wouldn’t show any sign that it had lost its explosive abilities until they actually tried to blow something up with it.

“This data will be of little use to you, Maeve,” I said with almost malicious glee.

“This is additional evidence we’ll need to tie them to today’s attack on your people,” she argued.

I gave her a hard stare that made her want to squirm.

“I want to keep on trusting you, Maeve. So do not lie to me,” I warned.

She bristled at that. “I’m not lying. Our justice system needs evidence to convict criminals.”

“The presence of these plants, of the Laurellis bushes, and of the tortured trees is enough evidence. What you really want is information on the offensive powers of these plants. Tell me I’m wrong,” I challenged in a frosty tone.

Maeve pursed her lips as she carefully chose her response.

“I am gathering data first and foremost as additional evidence to bring down all the people who attacked the Syllens,” she said forcefully. “But yes, I am hoping the data will also have information about how far along they are in their research and of the destructive powers of these plants. It’s not so that we can personally use them, but so that we can prepare countermeasures against them if necessary.”

I stared at her with great intensity, assessing the truth of her statement. Maeve held my gaze unwaveringly and lifted her chin with a hint of defiance.

Although not entirely convinced of her honesty on that topic, I nodded in concession as I leaned more towards trusting her than not.

“Very well. But I can already tell you that they have failed. They want to wipe us out because they don’t know how to make those plants grow and thrive in an artificial environment,” I explained.

“And they’ll never succeed,” Orian mocked, making the other Syllens chuckle, not with glee, but with something sinister, filled with hatred and sorrow.

“What do you mean?” Mirella asked.

“Mazeria is one giant living entity. Every organ depends on the other to thrive,” I replied tauntingly.

Her eyes widened.

“The right amount of light, water, and ferruginous soil isn’t enough. They need something else from the environment!” Mirella said with sudden understanding.

“Yes. Something only Mazeria can give them,” I concurred in a mysterious fashion that I hoped made it clear I wouldn’t share my world’s secrets.

To my relief, she didn’t seem upset by it. Mazeria was a peaceful world. But it contained many wonders that, if misused, would lead to great devastation. The fewer off-worlders knew about it, the better for all concerned, and especially for the land.

I took my mate’s hand. Then, as one, the other Syllens and I started marching out of the lab under Maeve’s stunned stare.

“Wait! Shouldn’t we remove those plants and the nectar they produced?” she asked.

I paused to look at her over my shoulder.