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I burst out laughing. “Wow. I had not expected that response.”
He raised his thick, prominent eyebrow in an inquisitive fashion. “Oh? What had you expected?”
“I don’t know… Some kind of generic apology about it potentially making me uncomfortable,” I said, feeling amused.
“I don’t lie,” he stated firmly.
For a reason I couldn’t explain, something in his tone felt like a warning.
I licked my lips nervously, wondering if he was hinting I should drop it. But my tongue had a mind of its own.
“Isn’t that problematic for someone evolving at the highest spheres of Braxia’s politics?” I asked.
“There are workarounds,” he said, the oddest mix of smugness and harshness seeping into his voice. “If you’re clever enough, you can answer any question truthfully without revealing things you don’t want to or shouldn’t. Having the reputation of being a liar can make it impossible to conduct any type of viable diplomatic deals.”
“You make a valid point. It still must be difficult,” I insisted.
He smiled, although it didn’t reach his eyes. “For some, maybe. But tell me about those strangers recruiting the hybrids.”
I took in a deep breath while choosing my words. “There have always been off-worlders dropping by to recruit some of the men, mostly as bouncers and security guards. In most cases, I’ve been able to convince them not to accept those offers.”
“Why?” Keran asked, his eyes narrowing at me.
“Because most were bad offers by shady people,” I said with conviction. “I ran thorough background checks on them, including criminal records and credit score. Many turned out to be pirates, smugglers, or mercenaries. A few of them were excellent offers from wealthy merchants, or noble houses.”
“But something is different this time?” Although he worded it as a question, it was more of a statement.
“There are two troubling factors to it,” I said carefully. “First, instead of wanting to hire only one or two men, they want to getallof them.”
“All?” Keran asked with a frown while straightening in his chair.
“Yes,” I said, making no effort to hide how much it troubled me. “They apparently have openings for every type of role possible, mostly having to do with security work, but also other positions as crewmates on their merchant ships. The hybrids’ greater strength is a non-negligible asset. And just like you purebloods—they are immune to psionic powers and compulsion, which makes them invaluable in any security detail. With the increased Sarenian presence over the past few years, it makes sense to want to be surrounded by people who cannot be affected by their mind-control powers.”
“I can see that,” Keran said, although his suspicions didn’t abate in the least. “And what’s the second thing?”
“And second, those off-worlders are Guldans,” I admitted sheepishly, as if I was somehow committing a crime.
My blood drained from my face when Keran jumped out of his chair with a murderous look. While I knew at a visceral level that he wouldn’t hurt me—or at least, I strongly believed it—a sliver of fear finally blossomed deep within.
“Guldans?! Why the fuck did you wait this long to bring it up?” he snapped.
“Please, don’t be upset,” I said in an appeasing tone. “Sit down… please. I will explain.”
He glared at me, his teeth clenched as if he wanted to slap the stupid out of me that I hadn’t revealed this sooner. I swallowed hard and gestured once again at his chair.
“Please…”
To my relief, although still clearly upset, he complied, his intimidating stare boring into mine.
“While I do not pretend to fully understand the fallout between Braxians and Guldans, I know they are no longer welcome on your homeworld,” I said cautiously. “However, I have found no evidence linking the murders to their presence. They arrivedafterthe third murder.”
“That they arrivedafterdoesn’t mean they haven’t been plotting and scheming ahead,” he hissed. “The Guldans have the wealth to send assassins here and make it look like purebloods are after the hybrids again.”
“I have thought of that,” I said in a reasonable tone. “But what would they gain from it? There are less than a thousand hybrids throughout Haven. A third are females who have settled into a comfortable life here, with their mate and children. Even if every single adult male went with those Guldans, how could they ever be a threat to Braxia? Hybrids do not stand a chance against purebloods, even in a fair duel. Purebloods like you could kill any of them with a single punch in the face. And there are millions of you on your planet.”
“You would be surprised what certain hybrids can do,” Keran replied enigmatically.
“What do you mean?”
