Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

Siroc

I love you . Isn't that what every male wants to hear their mate say? I couldn't deny how wonderful those words felt to hear. I just wasn't sure who it was that was saying them. Was Jane—the female I'd come to know these past weeks—who she appeared to be, or was "my Jane" an illusion?

I knew I wanted her more than ever, now. I knew that she lit up my body and mind, and I wanted her by my side in life. These were my thoughts, even as we walked silently through the halls of my Thrail to her new, or rather, old , quarters. Four guards accompanied us, carrying a trunk full of her clothing. We looked stoic, I thought, as we walked with gazes straight ahead and faces neutral. Rather like going to a funeral.

The people we passed stopped what they were doing and watched. Conversations halted. Eyes that were curious were now wary. As much as I truly hated moving Jane to another part of the Thrail, she was right. We needed to be separated…until we learned more about her and her abduction. After that was straightened out—and if Jane was cleared—I would openly claim her as mine.

"This is your room," I said stiffly as the guards stopped at a nondescript door in a nondescript corridor. "The room you were in before you were abducted," I clarified. "Your furniture and things have been moved in. There will be guards here at all times. They will take you to your appointments with Urix. Your friend, Paige, is cleared to see you, but no one else, currently."

She looked up at me with big, worried eyes. "That seer won't—"

"He is not allowed to see you," I said firmly, meeting the eyes of Horvok, the highest-ranking warrior, whom I had placed in charge of Jane's safety. "Nor are any of the Elders."

"Thank you." She turned toward the door. "For everything, Pal-Siroc."

I was thankful that she used my formal title when speaking to me out here. The informal use would be met with surprise and indignation by the guards. Still, one of the warriors frowned as she apparently forgot to bow, but then, before she slipped inside, she turned and did so, bowing her head and lowering down in respect for the warlord's status. It infuriated me to see my mate have to submit, as she was my equal. All should be bowing to her . "Be well, Jane. You will be notified of any updates we receive."

"I hope to see you again," she said, then bowed again and slipped inside the room.

I turned to Horvok, who stood grimly beside the door, holding his spear. "I meant it. No one is to go inside aside from Urix, the female Paige, and myself. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Warlord," he said. "And if she leaves her quarters?"

"Follow her and alert me." Her superior strength could actually put my warriors in harm's way, if they intervened during a time when the entity took control over her. She had managed to push me with such force I'd been knocked backwards. It was not a feat a typical human could accomplish. "Do not touch her under any circumstances. There are other forces at work, Horvok."

A twinge of concern crossed his scarred features. "With respect, we sure would like to know what forces, Pal-Siroc."

"So would I," I said dryly. "I'm hoping to have answers soon." I glanced at Jane's closed door. "For all of us."

The day passed fast and chaotic, filled with meetings with trade partners and Thrail residents who had grievances that couldn't be resolved by simple means. By the time I returned to my quarters, the final meal of the day was long finished and the main hall was empty. I closed myself in my room and leaned against the door. Jane's absence was a palpable thing. Skrah , I missed her, and only last night, I'd shared my bed and my body with her.

My cock still ached when I thought of our night together. It hadn't been planned, or thought through, or probably a good idea at all. Our mating had been spontaneous and shocking, even to us. I'd hoped that one day we might come together, but this was far sooner than I expected. Probably too soon.

I deposited my spear in its place beside the door and bent to remove my boots when a light knock came. My heart jumped into my throat. It had to be Jane. Maybe something had gone wrong. Or maybe she'd come because she missed me. Neither was good. The guards would talk. People would—

"Warlord," said Urix in a voice muffled by the door. "I wish to speak with you."

I pushed back the irrational twist of disappointment that I would not be seeing Jane tonight and opened the door to let him in. "Healer," I said. "What brings you here this time of night?"

"To the displeasure of my mate," he said with a wince. "News of our implants' origins. This could not wait."

I gestured for him to sit at my table and he did so, choosing a chair that was already pulled out. "I received a transmission from my contact with the It-tellan people. They analyzed the implant and determined the symbols on it to be of Evis-Vok origins."

"I never heard of that species," I said.

"That's because they're from the other side of the galaxy," Urix replied. "Not even in our quadrant. They're distant, highly advanced, and they keep to themselves. The It-tellan contact said they don't engage in trade of any sort, with anyone."

"So, what is their technology doing in Jane's head?" I asked, struggling to tamp down my anger. Urix was not the target, and he didn't come here to speak to a raving warlord.

"That is an excellent question." Urix sat back in the chair and folded his hands. "It has alarmed the It-tellans. There are rules—well, guidelines, actually—that the most advanced species follow. And those include not sharing technology that has destructive potential with outsiders. This counts as such. The It-tellans are reaching out to the Evis-Vok for an explanation. It's possible they are unaware of how their devices are being used."

"Or, they are aware and the very ones who did this to Jane."

"I'm a healer," said Urix. "A medic. If an advanced, far-off species has interest in our Thrail, on our planet, then there is something going on here that is beyond my knowledge."

And mine. I thought about what we were mining below the mountain. Nothing surprising had risen from the rock. We produced the same minerals and metals that we had been for centuries. "How powerful is this technology?" I asked.

"Powerful enough. According to the It-tellans' analysis, someone has created a monster in Jane. She can be completely controlled, and with her increased strength, she is a threat." Urix's expression was the same he gave patients when delivering bad news. "I'm sorry, Pal-Siroc, but it appears that keeping Jane sequestered with guards posted is indeed a wise choice."

I let out a growl. "Find out everything you can from the It-tellans, especially if they can determine a way to disable the remaining implants."

"Yes, Warlord." Urix inclined his head. "I will do everything I can. I want Jane to be free of this, so she is not forced down another corridor from which there is no escape."

He left, leaving me alone with my chaotic thoughts and empty bedchamber. I missed her, my strong, lovely mate. And I knew what Urix was saying. Underneath his words was a clear warning that she may be forced to do something horrific, and I would be forced to set my warriors against her. If she could not be freed from the control that this entity had over her, her life was in danger. If it came down to it, and she posed a threat to the people of my Thrail, I would have to give an order that would destroy her…and me.