by Aileen Erin
For now, I had to wait. For Audrey. For more information. For samples of the isolated poison so that we might be able to start working on an antidote.
Waiting should’ve been painful—and for Lorne I was sure it was excruciating—but there was this calmness inside me that felt almost outside myself. Like the problem was separate from me. Maybe because fear of death was something that I’d mostly conquered. That didn’t mean I wanted to die. My life wasn’t exactly ideal, but I had Lorne. I had my mission. I had a lot to live for. Which was exactly why I was here, shmoozing up this idiot.
We’d decided to come to the welcome dinner, even though it was the last place Lorne or I wanted to be. The meeting with Vyic ended up lasting much longer than we’d planned, which meant that we didn’t have time to go to the house we rented to get ready for the formal dinner. Instead, Fynea and Roan had met us outside the meeting with our change of clothes. God forbid if we weren’t correctly dressed in expensive, silky clothes made to fit us personally and highlight our fao’ana, but Lorne seemed to care. So, before entering the party, I changed into a pair of silky dark green high-waist pants, with a matching cropped vest that buttoned up my neck and had a long, gossamer train in the back.
There were a few people here that Lorne wanted to make contact with, just in case they had information on how to get our hands on some lucole-based weapons—ideally one of those bullets with the dust in it. That was important enough that I’d agreed to come, even if I hated this type of party. Or really any party. But I would’ve stayed at this one until it was over if it meant we could get something even remotely useful.
A waiter with a tray of food walked by and from ten feet away I could feel Lorne giving me the eye to eat something. I glanced over my shoulder at him and shook my head. I didn’t know what was on that tray. It’d been weird—strings of yellow and green and purple all in a nest with something mushy brown on top—and I wasn’t in the mood to put anything I couldn’t properly identify into my body.
Wasn’t my poor body already trying to filter out enough poison right now? Couldn’t I just eat when we got to wherever we were staying? Because I knew that we had a chef and three kitchen maids with us who were setting up in the house we’d rented. I was sure they could fix me something after this.
Lorne gave me one more look that said try to eat, and then focused back on the man he was talking to.
Which meant I should pay attention to the man I was talking to—or attempting to listen to anyway—but I made a mental note to keep an eye out for something edible on the next tray.
The translator in my ear was seamlessly working to make sure I understood what this man was saying in his guttural language. I nodded like I’d heard him even though I’d completely tuned him out the last couple of minutes.
Whoops.
Committee Person Grugitrg was from Brgu, and I was trying to squeeze any little bit of information he might have out of him. He was maybe the most Earther-looking from the bunch here tonight. His arms were a little long and his face a little smooshy, but his hair fell in greasy ringlets. For that alone, I didn’t trust him. Shiny hair usually meant trouble. Although right now I was beyond my instant mistrust of the man. His well of information was about as deep as a brief afternoon rain shower’s puddles.
This was such a waste of time.
I searched the room for someone else to talk to. Someone that might actually have something helpful to me.
The ballroom wasn’t as big as the one in my father’s estate. Instead of small, tall tables filling the room, like my father’s staff usually set up when having a formal yet “focused on mingling” dinner, this room had tiny short tables, each with two chairs. People were supposed to have intimate chats while they sat in dim lighting and nibbled on bites from the passing trays and sipped sickly sweet drinks that hid all the lies floating through the room. Somehow all of that was supposed to help strengthen the friendship between alliance members, but I found the whole thing so phony and annoying. All I wanted to do was sit next to my fiancé.
Lorne sat across the room at a squat table with a simple stone top identical to mine. He was talking to someone from Planet Letaroniq. Vyic said that they might have something that could help neutralize lucole. Letaroniq had some naturally occurring lucole, although a much, much smaller quantity than on Apollyon, but they were at least familiar with it.
I wasn’t sure gaining a solution for this poison would be as easy as having one conversation with a random dude, but I also didn’t like the idea of trusting anyone unknown at this point. I wanted to be there to listen in, but there was no room at Lorne’s table for me. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like anything about this.
My health was something I liked to control. I liked to know what I was putting in my body and what it would do. I liked being able to make my own choices, and I didn’t think that was wrong. That was a right. It was a basic tenet of freedom. Anyone who altered my body in any way without my permission was violating me. And I hated it.
I hated that I had millions of microscopic bombs in my blood. I couldn’t feel them, but I knew they were there.
Three chimes. Three hits. Three tolls from a tuning fork device, and I would be dead.
Unless I could figure out a way around this.
Which was exactly what I was going to do.
The ballroom was filled with people from the alliance. Everyone seemed to know each other except for me. I was the odd one out. Gowns and finery went wall to wall and it all felt fake.
Or maybe I was the fake.
I leaned forward to give the impression that I was interested, and then I smiled. The man’s yammering stopped.
Shit. I really needed to learn how to smile on cue.
“So, you do have a relative who moved to the Zktra system, but you haven’t heard from him?” This was the only reason I was talking to him. I wanted confirmation about what happened on Zktra. I didn’t want to believe that SpaceTech had wiped out everyone there, even if I knew they were capable of it.
On the way here, I’d messaged Roan to find me anyone with a connection to Zktra, and this is who he said to talk to. It had taken me a painful twenty minutes to ease our conversation to Zktra, but if I got my answer, then it will have been time well spent.
“No, I haven’t heard anything from my cousin or anyone from Zktra, but again, it’s not unusual to go long lengths without hearing word.”
This man was useless. I started to get up, but he spoke quickly.
“The Zktra system is remote and unique in its political alliances, but they sent a representative to the meeting for lunch yesterday.”
Wait. Did he just say he’d had lunch with the Zktran rep yesterday? On Telnon? I sat back down in my chair.
If there was a rep from Zktra here, then they were either phony or somehow spared from the attack on their planet. Either way, I wanted to meet this supposed rep. “You met with the rep from Zktra yesterday?”
“Well, yes. Many representatives prefer to meet for smaller, informal discussions since it’s impossible to meet with everyone at events like these and…” A bead of sweat rolled down Grugitrg’s ringlets, plopping down on the table.
I watched, sick-fascinated at the sweat plop-plop-plopping down on the table. Gross.
I forced my gaze away and turned to scan the room. “That’s interesting. I would love to talk to the Zktran rep. I didn’t think they usually came to these sorts of things.” I didn’t think they did because they didn’t. Thanks to Roan and his stupid quizzes, I knew that for a fact.
Zktra was a lazy member of the alliance, and in all the years of the alliance, they had only shown up when the purpose of the meeting was focused on something they cared about—like keeping everyone out of their business. This war between us and SpaceTech wouldn’t warrant their presence.
“Oh. Well. I’m not sure if… I don’t know if… They might not have come tonight.” The sweat picked up speed, dripping down onto the table faster.
I thought about handing him a
napkin, but would that be insulting? I wasn’t sure.
And still, I couldn’t stop staring at the drops. It was kind of gross, but also a little mesmerizing in a disgusting way. Where was all this sweat coming from? I’d spent a lot of time in the gym, but I’d never seen sweat fall like that. Not from me and definitely not from anyone I knew.
Wait. Was it even sweat?
It had to be. If it wasn’t, then what could it be?
Oh God. My brain was coming up with all kinds of awful things, and I wanted this conversation done. Fast.
“I thought everyone attended the dinners. Do you know if the Zktran representative is ill?” I asked, but I knew if they’d been around for other stuff before we arrived, then the chances were that they didn’t come because Lorne and I were here tonight.
I didn’t know Vyic, but when he’d looked into my soul, I’d seen some of his nature. I didn’t think he was lying. If he said everyone in the Zktran system died, he meant it. He’d know that better than anyone.
So, who was this rep and why did they not want to show their face around me and Lorne?
I focused on Grugitrg. “If they’re ill, I’d love to send a selection of my favorite remedies. Do you know where they’re staying? I could have my chef send something.”
“I-I-I’m not s-s-sure.”
“Could you set up a meeting with me and the Zktran? Maybe we could all go to lunch together. I’m sure Lorne would love to join us, too.”
“Oh… I wouldn’t… I-I-I… not a good idea.” The sweat fell faster, and a puddle was now pooling on the table.
He was freaking out, but I wasn’t backing down. “Why not? I thought Zktra was allied with everyone here in this room? Which includes the Aunare.”
“Oh, sure.” He cleared his throat. “Yes. That is true, but what good would it to do meet with them? It is a completely insular place. Although they do have some incredible resources and experimental procedures that might skirt the lines of what would be morally and ethically acceptable. Mostly it’s a place to avoid.” He grinned, but I winced at it.
This man was about as good at fake grins as I was.
“You wouldn’t want to meet with them. It would be a waste of your limited time on Telnon.”
I’d just met Grugitrg. I’d tried to overcome my instant mistrust of him, but now I really didn’t like him. He couldn’t tell me what I did or didn’t want to do. No one told me what I wanted to do, except me.
I took a careful minuscule sip of my too sweet drink before answering him. I wanted to make sure I had the exact right tone.
Screw it. If I’d learned anything at those pointless Aunare High Council meetings, it was that I was as bad at faking tones as I was at faking smiles. “Maybe that’s true, but I always like to consider my enemies.”
“Oh, but Zktra is a part of the alliance. They’re not an enemy. There’s no need to meet with them.” He reached out, touched my arm, and my skin brightened a few notches brighter than where I’d been keeping it since we arrived.
I didn’t have to look away from him to know that my guards had taken a step forward from their stations at the wall. I didn’t need to look behind me to know that Eshrin’s hand was now on his faksano. I saw that clear enough on Grugitrg’s face as he froze, hand still on my arm, eyes wide, unsure of what to do next.
I picked up the cuff of his sleeve and moved his hand to the table.
It took him a second, but then he visibly shook and another hideously fake smile—which had to be more phony than mine—appeared on his face. “The people of Zktra are hardly worth thinking about.”
“I disagree.” This man was going to tell me where I could find the fake rep. I wasn’t going to give him another option. “The Aunare are at war with SpaceTech. Nothing will change that fact. By the time we leave Telnon, sides will be chosen by each and every alliance member. You can say that you met with the Zktran rep—and I can pretend to believe that lie—but why pretend? We both know there isn’t a Zktran alive to come to this meeting.”
Ignoring the now steady stream of sweat from him, I leaned closer. “Which means you have a choice to make right now. You can either choose our side or theirs. Choose wisely, Committee Person Grugitrg. You know you don’t want to go against the Aunare. We’re stronger, better, and it sounds like our prophecy has spread. Lorne and I will win. So, what will it be? SpaceTech or the Aunare?”
I’d thought he looked terrified when he touched me, but that fear was deeper now. His gasp was tiny and reedy. It was a long moment before the man took a full breath, and still he stayed silent, but I could wait. I had time, but I wasn’t backing down. I continued leaning forward, pressuring him to say more without saying or doing anything more.
While Lorne was busy trying to find a way to fix me, I was trying to find out what SpaceTech was up to here. Because too much was lining up.
I was poisoned.
We declared war.
The formerly silent alliance decided to ask for an Aunare audience.
Too many things were happening at once, and I had a feeling we were still SpaceTech’s puppet. We were stuck in a cycle, constantly reacting to their moves instead of making moves of our own. That had to change.
Grugitrg was quiet, but I’d definitely hit some of his buttons. I just needed to find the right one. Just a little more pressure. Even if it meant using some strategic guesswork.
“I know that SpaceTech is at this meeting. They wouldn’t be able to stay away. If you’ve met with them, I understand. Maybe you thought they were from Zktra at first, but at some point, you learned that they were SpaceTech. I’m sure they scared and intimidated you in some way because that’s what they do. I know that. I know it personally.” I hoped the sincerity of my tone helped him find his voice again. “And I understand that you’re a rep for your people and you have to be sure to keep their best interests in mind, but SpaceTech doesn’t care about you or anyone. They only care about themselves and their profits. They rule with fear and intimidation, and anyone else not kowtowing to them, they slaughter. I know you’re scared, but it’s not too late to do the right thing. Spies are here, and I know they want me dead, but help me. All I need to know is where to find them and I will take care of the rest—”
The man stood so quickly that the squat chair toppled over, hitting the ground with a clatter.
All talking in the room stopped.
The man made a few jerky movements before bowing. “My apologies. I am suddenly unwell and am retiring to my room.” He spun, knocking into one of my guards. He took a few stumbling steps before changing to an all-out sprint.
I caught Lorne’s glance. He raised a brow at me as if to say what did you say to the poor man?
Shit. I’d just iced this completely. I’d pressed him too hard. Grugitrg was a politician, not someone I could interrogate into telling me the truth.
The man was scared, but running out of here like that was a bad move on his part. He was going to get himself killed, and it was going to be my fault.
I rose from my chair and moved through the room flanked by Eshrin and Ginu.
In one smooth motion, I tapped my left shoulder once and, ran my hand across my chest to my other shoulder, made a fist and held it out at a forty-five degree angle.
I’m leaving. Follow me. Be on alert. Moderate potential danger.
I might have been fudging it on the last sign, but it might not be more than moderate danger. Grugitrg didn’t come off as a fierce warrior, and I wanted to follow him, not attack him. It didn’t have to be a fight unless he turned it into one.
When I got outside, Telnon’s star was setting, giving the street a pinkish-purple hue. I reached into the hidden pockets in my pants and slipped out the faksano. I flicked them open as I moved down the street, watching for any sign of Grugitrg.
“What’s going on?” Eshrin said as he walked beside me, faksano already in his hands. Ginu was on my other side. The rest of my guards fanned out in a formation around me.
�
�I pushed him too hard. He pretty much flat-out admitted to me that he met with a SpaceTech spy yesterday. I asked him to set up a meet or to give me information on where to find the spy. I said that he had a choice to make—us or them—and he ran off. He’s going to get himself killed. If he runs to warn the spy then—”
I heard a strangled noise, and I took off at a run, pausing at the end of the block. Waiting to hear or see a clue.
And then I saw him.
He was behind a tree halfway down the next street, struggling with another man, who looked up at me and grinned.
I didn’t recognize him from this far away, but I didn’t need to.
One look and I knew. SpaceTech.
And then he set off a device in his hand.
I didn’t hear anything—no detonation or boom or shot—but there was a sudden stabbing, throbbing pain in my head that forced me to my knees.
A body hit mine, forcing me all the way to the ground. The vibrations of the street under my cheek reminded me of an explosion but there hadn’t been any destruction that would’ve gone along with a blast. No broken glass. No falling debris. No heat of fire brushing along my skin.
And yet, there was a soft, high-pitched ringing in my ears, and it was getting louder.
I moaned, and the body on top of me lifted, but I couldn’t see anything.
Someone slapped my cheek softly, and I realized I’d closed my eyes at some point.
I opened them to see Eshrin hovering over me. His lips were moving, but the ringing was too loud.
He swiped his thumb under my nose, and it came back red, and I knew what had happened.
One hit.
The lucole in my body had been activated, and there was no denying the fact that I was in trouble.
I was in very big trouble.
Eshrin was asking something, but I pointed to my ears and shook my head. I couldn’t hear anything but the ringing. “Where’s Grugitrg?”
Eshrin pointed behind me, and I sat up to see.
Where Grugitrg had been was now a pile of blood and bits. It looked like he’d exploded from the inside.
Shit. He’d been poisoned by lucole, too. I wasn’t sure if he’d been poisoned before he met with the spy or after, but either way, he was dead now. There was no coming back from that.