Page 18

He’s no longer angry or blustering when he says it. For the first time in this interaction, my father seems…himself.

“Your offer is generous,” he says – with a humility I’ve rarely heard from him. “If my surveys are correct, that is a fair value.” He pauses, before continuing: “But I see the future. I know what’s happening in the Aurelian Empire. Your human Queen is alienating more traditional Aurelians – and more and more of them are going Rogue. Your ancient order of priests is fermenting dissent. The price of Orb-Material has risen twelve percent in the last five years alone. They’ll rise tenfold in the next decade.”

My father makes eye-contact with the leader of the triad.

“Do you deny it?”

There’s a flash of anger in the leader’s eyes. He isn’t as good at hiding his emotions as he thinks he is.

Likewise, my father’s words rock me. I didn’t know anything about there being dissent in the Aurelian Empire – and the way my father speaks, it makes it sound as if they’re on the brink of civil war.

A civil war brings danger. The Aurelian Empire maintains what little order there is in this universe. An internal conflict within their Empire could see whole galaxies plunged into bloodshed and chaos.

All the more reason to sell now and get out!

The leader of the Aurelians finally speaks.

“You are very well-informed, Mr. Carani. Youcouldstand to earn ten times as much.” The warrior narrows his slate-grey eyes. “But will you live to spend it?”

The Sentinels take a step forward with a clunk. They’re trained to pick up on word sentence structures that suggest potential hostility.

“Is that a threat?”

My father’s voice is low – cold. Despite how dangerous and intimidating these Aurelians are, he’s been living on this Gods-forsaken planet for fifteen years, and he’s no pushover. As much as I want to smack my father on the back of his head and yell at him to just take the damn deal, I feel a certain element of pride that he’s standing up to the huge, barbaric creatures who’d thought they could just waltz into our home and dictate the rules to us.

The leader of the Aurelians leans back in his creaking chair, spreading his legs as wide as the small seat will allow. He doesn’t seem to have noticed the Sentinels preparing themselves to take action. He could be turned to mincemeat at any second – but seems to regard the automatons as no deadlier than butterflies.

“It’s no threat, Mr. Carani,” the Aurelian says coolly. “It’s a warning.We’renot the ones you need to be concerned about. We might be the first to have uncovered your secret – but other factions will soon follow. They’ll offer you money – but less than we did, and if you decline their offers? They’ll do business the Marn way.”

I watch my father stiffen in his seat.

“We come to you with a fair offer,” the Aurelian concludes. “You have twenty-four hours to accept.”

The Aurelian’s face is so calm and relaxed as he makes this ominous offer – but the moment after he’s finished delivering it, that changes. The warrior’s brow furrows. There’s a sudden flicker of confusion in his slate-grey eyes. Something has thrown him off balance.

The alien warriorsniffsthe air. He tastes it – like a wolf.

Then, his head turns – and his slate-grey eyes focus onme.

I gasp. Hesmelledmy presence – like a predator.

The Aurelian’s cold, grey eyes find mine, and I feel like I’ve jumped into a frozen pond. The tiny hairs on my neck prickle as he stares at me.

Staresthroughme.

The Aurelian’s eyes are piercing. They burrow into my mind. I find myself frozen to the spot, utterly paralyzed. Every instinct in my body tells me to turn and run – to race back up the stairs and hide…

…but I have no control over my muscles.

The huge, powerful alien has me held captive with only his eyes.

My father is oblivious. He hasn’t noticed me, or that the Aurelian has seen me in the doorway.

Instead, he clears his throat.

“I willconsideryour offer,” my father concedes, “but I must caution you – my answer will be no. I’ve spent my entire life building towards this opportunity. I’ve sacrificed my youth, and my family has been a virtual prisoner here as this comes to fruition.” My father takes a ragged breath. “I will not give it all up now. I’m no coward – and I’ll go up against the corporations of Marn if I have to.” He narrows his eyes. “…and ifyouplay dirty, I’ll take you on as well.”

My father is not what most would consider a dangerous man – but he sounds dangerous when he says that. The only thing he’s ever sounded more protective of is me.