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“The funeral is tomorrow. Then the coronation. After that we can put our plan into motion. I will make a planet-wide announcement about my intention to broker a peace deal with Earth. But until then, my priority is to keep you safe.”

She smiled tightly.

“I guess you can’t have a human running loose on Vraxos.”

“Not until everyone knows who you are and why you’re here. Please try to understand,kalehsha.”

She did understand. Prison was the most secure place for a human to be, at least until everyone was on board with the plan. Didn’t mean she was happy about it.

“I’ve told you before,” she said shortly. “Don’t call me that.”

Vahn surveyed her blazing eyes and sighed.

“Two nights maximum. You have my word. Then you will join the other Potentials forshaa’baara.The accommodation will be much more comfortable, I promise.”

She shrugged.

“Whatever.”

He gave up. Reaching for his belt, he touched a finger to a slim comms device she hadn’t noticed before. Immediately the door opened and Ela walked in.

“Escort Kara to the holding cells on level two,” he instructed. “Make sure she’s treated with respect, general.”

“Of course.” Ela cast Kara a look which suggested she wanted to do anything but. She raised the restraints she still carried and Vahn shook his head.

“No need for those. The human is co-operating.”

“It is protocol. And besides, you wouldn’t want anyone to think you were treating her favorably, would you?”

Vahn looked at Kara apologetically and she gritted her teeth. It just kept getting better and better.

“Do it,” she said tersely. She held out her arms.

The general attached the restraints with a gusto that made Kara want to smack her in the teeth.The bitch is enjoying this.

“Kara?” Vahn’s voice was soft. “When you speak to your mother, make sure you tell her…”

“Yes, I know. Tell her I was rescued by the Vraxians and everyone here is lovely and sweet and deep down you all just want to be friends.”

“I was going to say, prepare the ground for news of our union. Speak well of me.”

“Sure. I can do that.” She followed Ela to the door. “I’m good at lying too.”

Ten

She assumed the palace prison would be housed in the basement, perhaps deep underground where inmates never saw the light of day. Instead, she was taken to a wing which was surprisingly airy. One wall was spanned by five spacious cells, none of them occupied. When Kara saw them, her jaw dropped.

They looked like hotel rooms, all glass and chrome with comfortable seating and a large bed. A table held a bowl of fruit and a vase of flowers. There was even a separate bathroom.

“This seems a bit upmarket,” she ventured as Ela removed the restraints. “I was expecting something dingier. Perhaps with dripping water and spiders.”

Ela looked at her with disdain.

“Level two is reserved for high-ranking prisoners. Diplomats and nobility.”

“I’m flattered.”

“You should be. If I had my way, you would be chained to the wall in our city’s top-security facility. That is far less comfortable, I assure you.”