Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Raven

“Why does your dining room look like a construction site?” Raven asked, finishing her meal.

Dhol just smiled and glanced at her bracelet again. The wind brushing the branches against the window was the only sound. He took another bite of his cake.

It looked good, but not enough to make her break down.

She could play along. She’d gone seven years without tasting it, and she wasn’t about to crumble now. It reminded her of the times she and Tori would sneak cake from their employers.

Tori was always so straight-laced, except when it came to her. Arenk’s and Laro’s punishments were harsher. If this was the worst Dhol could do, then—

“My maid found something in your room today. Care to explain?”

He took another bite as the maid brought in the plastic Raven had hidden. She swallowed hard.

“It’s just plastic. Stuff comes wrapped—”

“It’s imprint paper, not wrapping. I want to know why you have it and where it came from.”

Dhol’s gaze was sharp, locked on her. She’d been trained for moments like this. She hadn’t aced that course, but she’d passed.

The maid kept her eyes on the floor, trembling. Dhol took another bite, his eyes glowing brighter—an intoxicating amber.

“You shouldn’t snoop through someone’s things.”

“I was just having your stuff put away. That’s how it works where you’re from, right? And where is that exactly?”

“Why does it matter?”

He finished his cake, and the maid cleared his plate.

“You’re smart, but that will only get you so far. You know why I’m asking, so tell me.”

She bit her lip, thinking about Arenk’s words. Dhol could give her hope. It was her only option now unless he returned her things, which seemed unlikely.

“I need to contact my people. Will you help me?”

“Beings only travel through space for two reasons: to conquer or to relocate. Which one are your people doing?” he asked, sipping his drink.

“Relocating.”

He grunted. “Because of resource scarcity, overpopulation, a dying planet, or war?”

“Take your pick.”

“I have a question for you.”

She took a long drink. Raven knew he would want something in return, something that would change everything.

“If you were me, why would you allow contact with such a species?”

She frowned, her stomach churning.

“You’re all incompetent, selfish creatures,” he said.

He walked to his dresser and opened a drawer.

“How do you think they’ll adapt here with a new species? A new way of life? As a protector of Tarea, I can’t allow that. I can find your planet’s location and where you were heading, send some men to make contact. If they meet our standards, I’ll personally invite them to join us here.”

Raven’s skin prickled. It took all her strength not to flip the table and strangle him.

He was unwilling to risk revealing his people’s location but was more than willing to discover theirs, probably to conquer and take all the women they needed.

“Are all of you perfect?”

“No, which is why it’s smart not to stir things up.”

“Last I checked, we have one thing you need, desperately.”

She could feel the heat of his gaze. Raven kept her eyes straight ahead, her head held high.

“Everyone else, but not me. I have you. Forgot?”

“You may have me, but you won’t have me.”

His laughter filled the room.

“Are you sure? You seemed pretty willing today. Your species is weak when it comes to the flesh, and you know it, which makes you all perfect for our needs. We can all benefit.”

Raven felt a wave of shame wash over her. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“We’re weak, that’s true, but we hold grudges long enough to destroy a planet. So I hope you enjoyed what you got from me. Tell your friends, share it with Arenk and Laro. I hope it keeps you warm at night, because the shop is closed.”

She pushed away from the table and headed for the door. Dhol blocked her way.

“Nice speech, but I promised you a punishment for your foul mouth.”

“Fuck you.”

He chuckled. “I suggest you take it gracefully. If I have to chase you—”

“Goodnight,” she said, sidestepping him.

She passed the dresser and noticed a jar of gel. Next to it was a glass object. It had a thin tip, was wider in the middle, and had a flared base engraved with ~A & D~.

“What’s this?” Raven asked.

“I’ll show you in fifteen minutes. Be ready,” Dhol said.

She wasn’t sticking around for that.

Raven took the stairs two at a time. A few guards blocked the front door. She changed direction and ran to the backyard. Bellamy lifted his head as Raven dashed through the bushes into the trees.

Branches scratched her face and legs as she ran. The trees seemed endless, and the house was out of sight.

The trees began to thin, and to her dismay, she came upon a tall wooden fence. It stretched as far as she could see.

The sound of splashing and burbling echoed from further up. That wasn’t all. Branches snapped, and footsteps followed. Raven ran faster than ever. Heavy panting and a howl filled the air.

Bellamy appeared, running at full speed with Dhol close behind.