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Ten minutes later Alex was descending the tree while her classmates watched anxiously from above. None of them were happy with the arrangement, especially after she refused to take the ComTCD with her, claiming that if she was discovered then she didn’t want the others to end up captured. But really, she just couldn’t allow them to hear what she was planning on saying to the soldiers to get into the command centre.

“I’ll be back soon,” Alex promised, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt.

Skyla had slathered Alex’s face with makeup to the point where she looked like a wild mess, and she hoped it was convincing enough to pull off the ruse she was about to attempt. Knowing that the success or failure of their task dependedon her, she straightened her clothes and took on a staggering walk, acting dazed. She wobbled all the way over to the gated entrance into the compound, where a commanding voice brought her to a halt.

“Identify yourself!”

When Alex didn’t respond, a group of armed soldiers rushed out to meet her. They eyed her suspiciously before one of them stepped forward and repeated the command.

“Thirsty,” Alex whispered, making her voice sound raspy. She collapsed to her knees for added effect and was rewarded when the closest soldier called for one of his companions to bring water.

With their Stabiliser weapons pointed at her, Alex guzzled down the liquid as if she were dying of dehydration. When she lowered the bottle, she looked up at the men with an unfocused expression.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” the closest soldier asked, stepping closer. His black uniform seemed more decorated than the other guards and she presumed that meant he had the higher military ranking.

“I’m Princess Delucia Cavelle,” Alex answered, hoping Dix was right about how few people knew what she looked like these days.

The soldier’s eyes widened at her exclamation and then narrowed again. “I find it hard to believe the royal princess would be discovered half-dead at the edge of the Soori Desert.”

“My travel companions and I were ambushed,” Alex said, still kneeling on the ground. “They abducted me and knocked me out. I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but when I woke, it took me a while to figure out where I was. I managed to escape but I had no idea where to go. All I could remember was my father once telling me about a military outpost at the base of the Durungan Ranges and I knew if I made it here, I’d be safe.”

The soldier’s doubtful look remained on his face, but his expression wasn’t as harsh anymore. He seemed to be considering her words.

“Come with me,” he told her. “The general will be able to verify your story.”

Alex pushed herself to her feet with exaggerated exhaustion, swaying for effect. The soldier was considerate enough to hold her elbow until she was steady again, which would have been kind of him had she truly been in need of the support.

He led her past the other soldiers and through the gate into the compound. Instead of having to traverse the entire settlement like Jordan and Kaiden had done, the guard pointed for her to step onto a circle carved into the ground near the gated entrance. Once they were both standing in the circle, he raised his wrist and tapped away at a watch-like screen that was clamped to his arm. Immediately the circle filled with light and Alex felt a rush of wind before she was sucked through the air as if by a vacuum. When the light disappeared, she saw she was no longer outside the gate but standing at the top of the wall, just outside the command outpost.

How convenient.

“Short-range teleportation circle,” the soldier told her, seeing the surprised look on her face. “Military-grade. We’re still working out the kinks, but it works just fine over small distances.”

He motioned for her to enter the tower and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust as she stepped into the building. When they did, she wished she could retreat again.

The atmosphere inside the command centre was thick with tension. There were dozens of armed soldiers stationed around the room, and in the centre stood a man who was clearly in charge. He had close-cropped, salt and pepper hair and wore a black military uniform with weapons strapped everywhere.Alex had to force herself not to take a step back when his piercing eyes turned to stare intently at her. His gaze stayed on her for what felt like forever before it flickered over to her guard.

“Major Tyson, I trust you have a good reason for leaving your post?”

“Yes, General Drock,” the soldier said. “This girl came staggering in from the desert and claims to be Princess Delucia Cavelle. She says she was abducted while travelling but managed to escape her captors.”

The general’s gaze swung back to Alex and, despite her intimidation, she stood up a little straighter, determined to stay in character.

“Does she now?” the general said thoughtfully, turning back to the major. “What of the intruders, Tyson?”

“No sign of them, sir. We have to presume they managed to escape since Signa can’t sense them in the compound any longer.”

The general swore and Alex narrowed her eyes at him.

“I would prefer that you refrained from using such colourful language in my presence, General Drock,” she said, attempting to sound imperious.

The military leader crossed his arms. “Looks like the little princess has quite the tongue on her.”

“I’m the heir to the throne of Medora, General,” Alex warned, lying through her teeth. “You would do well to treat me with the respect I deserve.”

“We’ll see about that,” Drock said. He turned to one of the soldiers stationed across the room and ordered, “Bring me Signa.”

“No need, General, I’m already here,” said a man who’d just entered the room. He wasn’t dressed like a soldier, but he nevertheless exuded a dangerous aura. And yet, despite hermental warning bells, Alex had difficulty hiding her amused reaction when she realised just how much he looked like the animated villain Jafar from Disney’sAladdin. The similarities were uncanny, right down to the large eyes, long face and thin goatee.