Emma

EMMA

The shrill beep of my alarm practically vibrated through my skull, jolting me awake. I fumbled to silence the wretched thing, scared it would wake the whole compound before the crack of dawn. But today was too important—I couldn't risk sleeping through my chance.

I lay awake half the night, mind racing, as I tried to anticipate all the ways my plan could go wrong. But I knew in my gut that today was destined to be different. Today would be the day I finally figured out how to get into Conii's office. I just had to focus and be ready.

As quietly as I could, I slipped out from under my thin blanket and crept upstairs on bare feet. The floor felt like ice, but I barely noticed, too wired with nervous excitement about the day ahead.

At the top of the stairs, I stopped and listened intently. Only the soft hum of electronics and the occasional echo of a snore from the guards' bunk room next to Conii's office. Good—everyone was still asleep. For now, I had the run of the place.

I scurried down the hall to a supply closet and grabbed my cleaning cart. It squeaked traitorously as I maneuvered it toward Conii's office. I winced at the shrill sound slicing through the calm. So much for subtlety. Hopefully, no one important was within earshot.

Approaching the office, I slowed my pace, straining to see or hear any signs of activity. The usual two guards stood stoically outside the door, looking bored. Neither bothered to glance my way as I inched past them.

Just keep ignoring me , I prayed silently. Nothing to see here, just a lowly human performing her dull domestic duties, unworthy of even the slightest notice.

The ruse seemed to work. The guards continued scanning the hallway, oblivious to my presence. Their posture seemed more sluggish than usual, no doubt longing for the end of their shift and a few more hours of sleep. Perfect. Their lethargy might make them less observant of my snooping.

I busied myself wiping down the wall fixtures nearest the office entrance, careful to avoid eye contact. As I rubbed each section, I tracked the guards' movements peripherally.

One suppressed a yawn then adjusted his stance. The other scratched his neck before resuming scanning the hall. Neither seemed concerned by my presence. Just as I hoped.

I needed an excuse to linger here, to have a reason to keep monitoring their patterns and behavior. Suddenly inspired, I turned toward them with a bright smile.

"Excuse me, would either of you gentlemen care for a prishem?" I asked hopefully. "Happy to fetch some from the kitchen if you'd like."

The guard nearest me frowned, looking mildly annoyed by my offer. "We're on duty," he said gruffly. "No food or drink allowed."

His tone left no room for argument. I ducked my head apologetically. "Of course, my mistake. Sorry to bother you."

Strike one. I grabbed my cart and scurried away, feigning meekness. But inside, the gears were turning. I just needed to try again from a different angle.

Over the next few hours, I invented several more reasons to pass by the office entrance. Each time, the guards grew more wary of my presence. My spine prickled under their suspicious glares.

"Don't you have floors to scrub somewhere, girl?" one asked pointedly as I checked for nonexistent dust near the door molding.

"These fixtures need special attention," I mumbled lamely, avoiding his eyes. His skepticism was palpable. I couldn't afford too many more missteps.

By early afternoon, I was desperate for a new tactic. I couldn't keep wandering this hall all day—someone would notice and ask questions. I needed an airtight excuse to linger here.

A potential answer came as I helped the chef prepare Conii's lunch tray in the kitchen. If I could discover her lunch plans, it would justify returning upstairs. I tried to sound casual as I grabbed a bowl of her favorite marrow soup.

"Oh, I forgot to ask earlier: is Conii eating in her office today?" I asked breezily.

The chef didn't look up from the stove. "How should I know her plans?" he grumbled. "Just bring the tray to her room as usual."

I suppressed a sigh. It was worth a try. I just have to get creative again. Balancing the tray, I rushed upstairs before the chef could interrogate me further.

Outside the office, I took a steadying breath and approached the guards with what I hoped passed for a guileless smile.

"So sorry to bother you again!" I gushed brightly. "But I wanted to quickly check: is Conii currently in her office? I wasn't sure whether to bring her lunch here or to her room."

The guards exchanged weary, exaggerated looks. Clearly they were onto me.

"She's out for the day," one informed me smugly. "Now stop pestering us with these useless questions, girl."

I mumbled an apology and slunk away, cheeks burning. Strike two. No way could I risk another attempt without raising Conii's suspicions. I would need to regroup and try again another day.

But first, I had to get back to work.

Amarron root was on the menu, and in the intensity of my meeting with Taz yesterday, I forgot it. A faint tickle of memory had me hoping that there was another one in the pantry.

As I rummaged through shelves and bins, a ventilation shaft along the far wall caught my eye. It had a loose, rusty cover that looked like it could easily be pried off. Would it work? Would I fit?

"There you are!" The chef's irritated bellow made me jump. I spun around guiltily as he filled the pantry doorway with his impressive bulk. "What are you doing lollygagging around down here?"

I wanted to scream in frustration. But forcing a smile, I followed the chef back upstairs, my hopes sinking. There was no way I could investigate that vent further today. I could only pray it would still be accessible tomorrow.

Preoccupied with thoughts of my near miss, I proceeded to spill two drinks and forget the segundo course entirely while serving Conii's dinner that night. She snapped her fangs in annoyance, but was appeased when I groveled sufficiently for forgiveness.

Afterward, I collapsed into bed but couldn't sleep, my mind racing. Tomorrow, I might finally have a way into Conii's office—that ventilation shaft could be the perfect secret entrance. And I couldn't wait to tell Tazhr the exciting news. Just picturing his pleased smile made my pulse quicken delightfully.

I hugged my pillow, imagining the handsome Vinduthi's reaction. He'd be so thrilled by my discovery. Maybe he would pin me against the wall again in appreciation, like before, his hard muscular body pressing urgently against mine as he devoured me with kisses...

I squirmed happily at the memory, mind spinning with anticipation of our next encounter. Suddenly, I knew I couldn't wait till morning.

I needed to talk to him, share my triumph.

Cold reality hit.

But I didn't have a way to contact him. And even if I did, the compound was shielded. Only authorized percomms could call out.

I'd need to sneak out.

Find him in person.

Let him take me any way he desired, to celebrate.

My heartbeat drummed in my ears as I slipped out of bed and dressed silently. The compound was still; everyone slept as I tiptoed downstairs and picked my way through shadowy corridors toward freedom. Soon I'd make Tazhr proud. And then I'd let him make me his once more…

He said he would contact me, but this was important, right?

And if the rumors were true, I knew just where to find him.

I glanced down at my clothes, the typical ones Conii had us wear. Nothing special, a beige top and black pants.

Maybe I should have bought or stolen something else to wear before I left.

"Hi, I-"

A Dargun stepped in front of the entrance of the Fallen Star, holding the red rope in front of me. "No entrance for women unless they're employed here."

"Employed?"

"Dancers and waitresses only."

"Oh!" I shook my head and grinned. "Of course, I'm sorry. I'm actually here to apply for the open position."

The guard scanned me up and down. "You're taking Vihanna's place?"

"Hoping to," I replied gently.

I tried to put on my best flirty grin, but I was unsure how well it worked. When he lifted the red ribbon, I realized I must have done a better job than I thought. "Back through the red curtains," the Vinduthi bouncer directed.

"Red curtains." I nodded. "Got it."

I walked past him, eagerness surging through me as the bass entered my body through my feet on the floor. The club was packed, unsurprisingly, I realized once I saw the women dancing on stage. There were humans, Vinduthi, and even a Mondian spinning around poles under the strobe lights. They were all beautiful, graceful, and sexy, and my pride was minimized once I saw them.

These are the beings Tazhr is around all the time? Why in the seven galaxies would he want me?

I suddenly wanted to turn around and race out of that club. I felt like an idiot for even going.

I really must be out of my mind. I'm working undercover for a Vinduthi. I let him finger me in an alleyway, I could be killed for the crimes I'm committing, and I think there's a chance that an alien has feelings for me. No. This really is insane.

I was about to turn back when a hand clamped over my mouth, and I was pulled into a hallway. Another hallway? The hand over the mouth thing again? Really? Does this Vinduthi not understand that he could say hello and ask me to come to talk to him in the hallway instead?

Apparently not. After I was dragged through another hallway and pulled into a side room, I was pressed up against a wall. Again.

Despite myself, my pulse quickened. Tazhr was in front of me, glaring at me with those golden eyes that took up so much of my headspace.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" he hissed. "Are you insane coming here? To the Fallen Star?"

I tapped his hand over my mouth, keeping my expression one of dissatisfaction. He looked at it and then lifted it off my face slowly. I breathed in quickly once he broke contact with my face.

"Can't you just tell me you want to talk? Why do you keep pulling me into strange, dark places?"

"You're always in strange, dark places, Emma. Now tell me what you're doing here."

I sighed, looking aside, all of my previous excitement swept away.

"I found a way into Conii's office."

He shrugged and scoffed. "Okay."

The look in his eyes was cold. The stupid feeling intensified within me as I tried to keep justifying my presence at the club. "I just wanted to update you on the mission. I didn't want you to think I wasn't working hard."

"Working hard and being stupid are two different things," he stated before sighing and hanging his head. He chuckled before looking back at me, his face so close to mine that I felt the warmth of his breath on my lips. "But you have worked very, very hard." I felt my muscles tighten as I looked at his lips. "And you deserve a reward for that."

I closed my eyes and parted my lips, ready for him to kiss me like he did in the alleyway. To my surprise, my percomm dinged and vibrated in my back pocket. I opened my eyes to see him putting his own percomm back in his pants pocket with a grin.

"That should be enough payment for you," he stated.

"Credits?" I asked, annoyed. I didn't even care that he knew I was. He saw me going in for a kiss, and he just paid me?

"Three thousand." He shrugged. "I think it's a substantial amount."

"I mean, yeah, it is, but…"

"There you go, sweetness." He grinned. "Like I said," he sighed while backing away from me, "a substantial amount."

I was mortified. I couldn't even say another word. I walked out of the room, furious with myself for getting so wrapped up in a stupid fantasy. I walked past the supermodels on the poles and only felt more shame. My eyes watered when I finally walked through the exit of the Fallen Star.

He wasn't attracted to me. He didn't even think about me in such a manner. He probably just thought I was a stupid human woman, and at that moment, I thought I was, too.