AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Draven waved dismissively. “I oversee scores of competent employees. Looking after you takes priority.”
His sudden protectiveness baffled me, but I sagged in relief. “Well, I won’t turn down extra security right now. Thank you.”
Draven’s lips curved upward. “It’s my pleasure. Now come, let’s head to the casino. Perhaps focusing on the gala preparations will distract you.”
I readily agreed, desperate to redirect my spiraling thoughts. Draven’s calm authority soothed my frazzled nerves as we walked and chatted lightly. Whenever anxiety threatened to consume me, he adeptly changed topics or asked mundane questions that anchored me in the moment.
We soon arrived at the Black Star, where his entire staff swiveled to stare at me in surprise.
Draven chuckled. “They’re just unused to seeing me escorting a human. Shall we proceed to my office? Some of my team is there assisting with gala plans. I’m certain they could benefit from your expertise.”
I took a deep breath and nodded, clinging to the fragile sense of normalcy. As long as I avoided thinking about the ominous events plaguing the shop, staying occupied here felt like my only refuge.
For now, I could almost pretend everything was fine. But no amount of distraction could silence the dark premonitions whispering that perhaps my worst troubles still loomed just out of sight...
DRAVEN
The woman walking beside me attracted countless curious stares in the casino. Hardly surprising—humans didn’t casually visit for leisure often.
And Elara was a breathtaking sight, standing out from the rest of the drab humans on Thodos III. My staff likely found it shocking to see me with one, but I didn’t care what anyone thought. While she was with me, Elara was safe.
I still had suspicions that someone was trying to get to me through her. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d been targeted, and it likely wouldn’t be the last.
But this time was different. This time, an unfamiliar sense of duty to protect Elara stirred within me that I couldn’t explain.
In any case, by the time this gala business concluded, I intended to ensure she’d always be welcome here at the Black Star, with or without me present. But first we had to resolve this damned mystery plant situation so she could actually focus on her work.
I hoped Elara knew she was in good hands, yet the only true reassurance would come from getting to the bottom of things. So sorting out this bizarre mess quickly became my top priority.
I guided her toward my private office. Only my most trusted men were allowed inside, so I relished the thought of their shock seeing me bring Elara along. We drew closer as I placed my hand on the scanner.
“Just a moment,” I told her.
It whirred, scanning my prints, then I positioned my eye at the retinal scanner. A blinding flash of light seared my pupil before the machine beeped affirmatively. My name and credentials popped up on the display.
“Quite the security setup here,” Elara chuckled.
“Can’t be too careful,” I replied, waving her inside first.
As she stepped forward, a small cannon shot out suddenly from the wall. Elara recoiled in alarm at the barrel, now aimed squarely between her eyes.
“Damn, sorry about that!” I exclaimed, hurriedly punching in the code to disable the weaponry. “Forgot to register you as an authorized guest.”
“It’s... quite all right,” Elara stammered, forcing a tense smile.
“No more surprises, I promise,” I insisted, stifling laughter at her shaken expression before gesturing her inside.
Elara glanced warily about as we entered, where my team stood waiting around the central table. They shot to attention at my arrival.
“Boss! There you are,” Ryrik exclaimed. His hand twitched toward his holstered gun before realizing it was only Elara behind me. “Oh, hello there, Elara.”
“Hi, Ryrik,” she returned uneasily, eyeing his plasma firearm.
Laux and Sakkar came forward, introductions exchanged as they summarized their casino duties.
“So you all work under Draven?” Elara asked.
“More like brothers,” Sakkar said. “I hear you’re the florist he hired?”
