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She should probably be afraid of Axilla. She’d been taught to have a healthy respect for authority and how difficult it was to lead. But she wasn’t afraid, and there were more important matters than this pissing contest. Although she certainly planned to have words with the Conclave later.

“I’d be happy to assist.” Scrain nodded.

“I saw the suspects on the commuter terminal feed,” Aculus replied, confused.

“That was a disguise, and there were three of them, not just the two who looked like Sanctuary guards,” she relayed.

“I saw a Braccio, that was the avian wielding the breach,” Scrain explained.

“That one goes by the name of Hibi. What about the bloated slimy character, their leader?”

“A Namphib,” Scrain added.

“The Braccio were the guards, but from the way they talked I think their bird form was also a disguise. When they learned I wasn’t you, they spoke of saving other disguises for later. So they could be anyone.”

“If this was a disguise it certainly wasn’t a parallax, or projected mask. They were wearing some type of biological lamina that I’ve not seen before.” Scrain shook his head, confounded.

“Torment! That’s going to make tracking them nearly impossible,” Aculus cursed in frustration as he paced, tapping his fist against his forehead, a thing he did when he tried to tease out problems.

“I don’t know if we should be discussing this so openly and in the hangar of all places,” Tellar chimed in as he noted the guards stationed by the exits.

That was probably wise. Who knew if more of these bastards were hiding in their midst?

“Why did these criminals speak so freely in front of you?” Axilla asked suspiciously, glossing over Tellar’s concern.

Did she just call me a liar?She smiled as pleasantly as possible at Axilla. The matron had been haughty before, now that she’d learned of her relationship with Aculus, she’d turned downright surly.

“Axilla!” Aculus barked in her defense. “Don’t insult my weakness and as Tellar said, let’s take this elsewhere. Scrain, thank you. We’ll be in contact if we have further questions.”

“Of course. It’s been an honor.” Scrain bowed.

“Thanks again.” She patted Scrain’s arm before following the Conclave out of the ship hangar.

As they walked through the main corridor to a meeting room, Nadzia replayed the harrowing incident, trying to tease out more details. Now that she was safe and could see Aculus was safe, too, her panic had subsided and it was easier to think objectively.

“Here.” Aculus pulled out a chair for her and several of his matrons, including Axilla, before sitting down beside her.

Such a gentleman.She smiled at him. Despite the fact his mother was being a total witch he was still attempting to be a sweetheart.

“To answer your question,” she addressed Axilla, once they were settled at the table. “The assailants sprayed me in the face with something that was supposed to knock me out. At least that’s what I assumed from their panicked reaction when I didn’t pass out. So, when they sprayed me a second time, I pretended to faint.”

“The combat shell worked,” Aculus released a relieved breath.

She nodded and smiled at him, grateful the amazing technology kept her from being gassed.

“Then what happened?” Bregma asked, worry twisting her expression.

No wonder she’s Aculus’ favorite.

Aculus nodded, also wanting to know, his jaw clenched in anger. She rubbed his arm, assuring him she was okay.

“They attempted to haul me off in a cart waiting outside the commuter station, driven by their leader that looked like an amphibian. I listened as they discussed their disguises. They also talked about having another chance to get you.” She squeezed Aculus’ arm as she replayed the conversation in her mind. “They were disappointed. The one called Jyk wanted to get you alone to have his revenge.”

Aculus’ eyes darkened hearing the name, but he didn’t look surprised.

“We were warned about this,” Tellar snarled. Guilt flashed in Aculus’ father’s eyes.

“But our intel didn’t indicate any of the suspects had infiltrated Osi yet,” another matron interjected, hoping to assuage Tellar’s conscience.