Chapter Twelve

“Getting killed is not part of my plan,” she replied.

“Good to know,” I said. If she didn’t already have a plan, I didn’t doubt she was scrambling to piece one together. My handheld had alerted me that she’d searched the bedrooms. But I didn’t need sensors to tell me. I’d figured she would. Jessie would never surrender; she’d fight to the end. I admired her guts, but she would fare better if she were less courageous and persistent.

“You need to stay out of this,” I warned her. “Keep out of the way and let us handle things.”

“Like I have a choice?” She arched her eyebrows.

Persuasion worked better than force, so I’d tell her as much as I could. However, I’d do whatever it took to gain compliance. If I had to lock her up, so be it. She could not be allowed to interfere in this mission. Saving a few now would come at the expense of the multitudes later.

We’d reached a pivotal moment in the future of two worlds. What happened in the next couple of days would determine if we broke the back of the Copan-Cerulean Cartel or if New Terra became the cartel’s slave colony.

“Powerful people with a lot to lose support the cartel. They will kill to maintain their position and stake,” I said.

She ate in silence, scrunching her forehead as if mulling over my comment. The gray baggy clothing, chosen for its functionality, hung on her like a sack. She was tinier than I’d first thought. Her bold personality had made her seem much larger. Flyaway strands from her drying hair fuzzed around her face. Rings of fatigue circled her eyes, the vulnerability calling to my protective instincts.

She gestured with her fork. “You mean Princess Imana.”

“Among others.”

“Nobody does anything unless they benefit. What is Princess Imana getting out of the slave trade?”

“Money and power.”

“How much money and power does she need? She’s going to be queen of Copa someday.”

“She is ambitious. She wishes to rule all of Nomoru—Araset as well as Copa,” I said. We knew it; we just couldn’t prove it—yet.

“So, it’s revenge because Prince Aeon married Holly instead of her? Did his backing out of the bond-mating cause her to become a trafficker?”

The kingdoms of Araset and Copa had been longtime rivals, warring throughout Nomoru’s history. King Saar of Araset and Queen Augera of Copa had hammered out a truce, which they’d intended to strengthen through a bond-mating between Aeon and Imana. When rumors linked Copa to the growing trafficking trade and Aeon fell in love with a human woman, Araset broke the bond-mating contract.

The action probably saved Prince Aeon’s life. Imana wouldn’t have been willing to share power with a bond-mate. Most likely, Aeon would have met with an untimely accident.

“Her involvement in trafficking predated the cancellation of the bond-mating arrangement. However, the breaking of the betrothal did add more fuel to the fire.” I paused, considering how forthright to be. She already knows Imana is involved. There’s no way Jessie is leaving the safe house. And if she understands the seriousness of the situation, she might stop resisting.

“Imana’s cartel is selling alien sentients so she can beef up her military and invade Araset.”

Her jaw dropped. “What? Oh, my god! Does King Saar know? What about the queen of Copa? You said she wasn’t involved in the trafficking.”

I held up my hand. “We’re keeping a close watch on Copa’s military. Imana doesn’t yet have a powerful enough force to achieve her aims, but she’s getting close, which is why we must destroy the cartel now. And Queen Augera is…gravely ill. Her subjects are unaware of her condition because she has been maintaining public appearances. However, her condition is worsening.”

“She’s not going to die, is she?”

“It’s a concern.” I nodded.

“If she dies, Imana assumes the throne.”

“Yes.”

“What is she dying of? Your medicine is pretty advanced.”

“We have reason to believe she is being poisoned,” I said. “But as Queen Augera refuses to admit to illness, it’s hard to prove. Universal antidotes haven’t worked. Every time her food has been tested, it’s been fine. But our informants report she is getting worse, not better.” I rubbed the base of a horn. “In light of Imana’s trafficking activities, we suspect Imana is the one who is poisoning her, hastening her demise so she can assume the throne and invade Araset. The queen would never agree to an invasion.”

Jessie looked horrified. “She’s killing her own mother? Why hasn’t she been arrested? Or is the LOP still gathering evidence?” she said sarcastically.

“Copa is a sovereign kingdom. The LOP has no legal jurisdiction. Crimes committed are up to the monarch’s court of authority to prosecute. If or when Copa’s actions affect other planets, we can step in. Imana could whip out a blaster and shoot her mother dead, and there’s nothing the LOP could do.”

“So, why bother with poison? Why not shoot her dead and get it over with?”

“Because the queen’s death must look natural. Imana needs the support of the people to rule. Copan citizens love Queen Augera. If they had an inkling Imana had a hand in her mother’s death, they’d revolt. They would never accept her as their monarch.

“The queen’s pride, her refusal to reveal she’s ailing, is thwarting Imana’s plans. She needs her mother to appear sick so, when she dies, it won’t appear sudden and arouse suspicion.”

“But you’re certain she’s poisoning her?”

“We have strong circumstantial evidence.”

“Show the people the evidence! Let them revolt against Imana.”

“We don’t believe the evidence is strong enough to convince the people their crown princess would do something so heinous.”

“She’s planning a coup and an invasion.”

“Yes. So, do you see why you need to stay out of it?”

“No.” She looked at me. “I don’t.”

“To eliminate Imana—bring her to justice—this next abduction must occur,” I explained.

“How will the kidnapping of innocent people solve anything?”

“I can’t tell you.”

She slammed a fist on the table and glared at me. “Damn you!” Yellow flames of frustration and anger danced in her eyes, burning away the fatigue, enlivening her features. Anger mimicked passion, and I caught a glimpse of what she’d look like in the throes of desire.

I shouldn’t have been so open, not because she could do anything with information but because I’d increased her appetite for the truth. She’d continue to badger me; she’d never rest. And more than ever, I had to prevent her from interfering.

She scowled. “How can I be certain of any of this? Maybe you’re lying, spinning me a tall tale to win my cooperation. You’re from Copa.Why would you care if Araset is invaded?Maybe you’re a double agent. Maybe you’re working for Imana.”

I laughed at the blatant attempt to goad me.

Her glowering scrutiny turned assessing, and then her gaze settled on my mouth. Her eyes widened. “You don’t have tusks!” She placed her index fingers on her lower lip. “Copans and Arasetans have tusks. Did you have them removed so you could blend in?”

I took a gulp of the wine I hadn’t touched until now. “I never grew tusks because I’m half human.”