Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
With that, he stalks away, leaving me sad and lonely for reasons I can’t explain. Not having a choice, I push those feelings down and follow him.
Chapter 7
Elsie
Kian doesn’t have much to tell us about how Karl and the women ended up on Zerra or who created the portals except the facts I already pointed out.
I give Aruan a look that says I told him so.
Aruan paces in front of Kian’s table, frustration etched on his face. “How is it possible that no one has heard of anyone with the same powerful ability as Mother? That kind of power isn’t easy to keep a secret. On top of that, the person who tried to poison Elsie and the traitor who let the Phaelix into the palace are still hiding right under our noses.”
Kian sits on a circular chair behind his table, observing us with a neutral expression. “If you let me read your mind, Elsie, I may be able to find some information. Something could’ve happened while you were unconscious.”
“You can do that?” I come closer. “See what happened while I was unconscious?”
Aruan’s, “No,” echoes through the room. “You will not read her mind.” His tense shoulders and fisted hands as he stops to glare at Kian say he’s not going to budge.
In either case, I don’t want Kian to sift through my most private thoughts. I was just curious about how the brain works, if the mind records information even while we’re lights out.
Kian sighs. “Suit yourself, but then don’t stand there and complain to me about the slow progress of our investigation.”
“Sandy mentioned something,” I say.
Both men turn their attention to me.
“She said an Alit came to visit the Phaelix at night, and that it sounded as if they were negotiating. She didn’t catch a name or see his face. The topic of the slaves came up, and the man said the Alit don’t mate with Earthlings.”
“Interesting,” Kian muses, steepling his fingers.
“And you didn’t get that from reading Sandy’s mind?” Aruan snaps at his brother.
Kian’s tone remains level. “Reading everything would’ve taken all night. I focused on their arrival on Zerra.”
Aruan resumes his pacing. “You need to read their minds thoroughly. Maybe one of them saw or heard something that’ll shed light on the Alit’s identity.”
“Hey.” I look between them. “What happened to asking someone’s permission before invading their thoughts?”
As expected, Kian ignores the morality question. “I can clear my official duties for the afternoon.”
“Do it,” Aruan says. “In the meantime, I’ll speak to Mother.”
Kian meets my eyes with an innocent shrug.
“Those humans had better be treated well,” I say, giving Kian a narrow-eyed look. “Or you’ll have me in your face, and believe me, you don’t want that.”
“Congratulations,” Kian says with a smug smile.
I’m not taking the bait by asking for what. Of course, Aruan does.
He slams a fist on the stone slab of the desk. “Get your mind out of Elsie’s head.”
“I’m not in her head.” Kian watches Aruan unblinkingly. “I don’t have to be to know her power is back. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so brave as to threaten me.”
“Enough.” Aruan’s voice bounces off the walls. “We have ample problems as is. I don’t need you to add to them.”
Taking my arm, he leads me out of the room.
In the hallway, we bump into Vitai and Tarix.
Aruan motions at the basket of exotic fruit in Vitai’s arms. “Where are you going with that?”
Vitai smiles sheepishly. “I was just bringing our guests a snack.”
“It’ll have to wait,” Aruan says. “We need to talk to Mother.”
“She’s in private council with Father.” Vitai shifts the weight of the basket. “They asked not to be disturbed.”
Aruan exhales through his nose. “How long is it going to take?”
Vitai glances at me. “Who knows?”
“What about the humans?” Aruan scrutinizes Vitai. “Are their injuries sufficiently treated? Is there anything important I should know?”
While Vitai gives Aruan a rundown of the humans’ physical conditions, Tarix pulls me aside.
“I’m so relieved that you’re safe, Elsie. When the queen told us where she’d found you, we expected the worst.”
“Thanks,” I say half-heartedly because whatever happened to me, I brought onto myself. I don’t deserve his concern.
Lowering his head, he asks in a voice that doesn’t carry to Aruan and Vitai, “What was it like to be a prisoner of the Phaelix?”
I scrunch up my nose. “Like being a prisoner of anyone. It was awful.”
“Did they say anything that could throw some light on their secret slave trading?”
“Like I already told Aruan, I didn’t learn anything useful. At least their market has been destroyed.” I don’t feel pity as I add, “Along with the traders and buyers.”
“Yes,” he says in a far-off manner, frowning.
“Is everything all right? You look upset.”
He appears to gather himself. “Of course. I’m just not keen on facing the queen with no new information to give her. I love her like my own mother, but she can be harsh if you don’t deliver.”