Page 26 of Alien Prince (Alien Abductions and Seductions #1)

Chapter 12

Revelations

The night was a tapestry of shadows and flickering lights as I hurried away from the jubilant crowds of the festival. The echo of laughter and music faded behind me, replaced by the whispering hush of the palace corridors. The cool floor chilled my feet through the thin soles of my sandals, grounding me as I navigated the hallways lit by the soft glow of luminescent crystals embedded in the walls.

Clutched tightly in my hand was a data pad containing the evidence—a web of communications, encrypted files, and financial transactions that painted a grim picture of a looming coup. The smooth surface of the device was warm against my palm, a stark contrast to the cold sweat slicking my skin. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing like a drum in the stillness. The faint scent of burning incense wafted through the air, its spicy aroma doing little to calm my nerves.

As I approached the grand doors of the council chamber, two guards crossed their halberds to block my path. Their armor gleamed under the ambient light, and the metallic scent of polished steel mixed with the incense, creating an almost suffocating atmosphere.

“Ambassador Carter, the council is not in session,” one guard stated, his voice muffled behind his ornate helmet.

“I need to speak with Prince Kas immediately,” I insisted, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “It's a matter of utmost urgency.”

The guards exchanged a glance. “Wait here,” the other guard commanded before disappearing behind the heavy doors.

I stood there, the silence pressing in on me. My fingers tightened around the data pad, the hard edges digging into my skin. I took a deep breath, the air cool in my lungs, and tried to steady my racing thoughts. The polished wooden doors loomed before me, their intricate carvings depicting historical victories and celestial events. Tonight, they seemed more like barriers than art.

The door creaked open, and the guard reappeared. “Prince Kas will see you now.”

I nodded my thanks and stepped inside. The council chamber was vast, its domed ceiling adorned with a mural of Xeno Prime's twin moons surrounded by stars. The room was dimly lit, with only a few sconces casting a warm, golden glow. The scent of aged parchment and leather-bound tomes filled the air, reminding me of ancient libraries back home.

Prince Kas stood at the far end of the room, silhouetted against a tall window through which the moons cast their silvery light. His dark hair caught the ethereal glow, and his gem-colored eyes met mine as I approached. There was a hardness in his gaze, tempered by curiosity.

“Ambassador Carter,” he greeted me formally. “What brings you here at this hour?”

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion, but I have information that cannot wait.” I held up the data pad. “It's about a plot against the throne—a coup.”

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flash of vulnerability beneath his stoic exterior. “Come forward,” he ordered softly.

I crossed the expansive chamber, the sound of my footsteps swallowed by the thick, woven carpet underfoot. The rich hues of blue and gold swirled beneath me, patterns that seemed to shift with each step. As I reached him, I could see the tension in his posture—the rigid set of his shoulders, the tightness around his mouth.

“Show me,” he commanded.

I placed the data pad on a nearby table carved from dark wood, its surface cool and smooth. My fingers brushed against his as he reached for the device, sending a jolt up my arm. The faint scent of his cologne—something earthy with a hint of cedar—filled the space between us.

As he scanned the contents, his expression grew increasingly grim. The soft glow from the screen illuminated his features, casting shadows that accentuated the sharp lines of his face. The silence stretched, heavy and oppressive, broken only by the distant sound of the festival fireworks—a stark contrast to the darkness unfolding here.

“How did you obtain this?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I found encrypted communications and cross-referenced them with financial records,” I explained, the words tumbling out in a rush. “It took time to piece it all together, but there's no doubt. Members of your own council are involved.”

He looked up sharply, his eyes searching mine. “Do you realize the gravity of these accusations?”

“Yes,” I replied firmly. “But I couldn't stay silent. Your Highness, you have to believe me.”

“You were seen with my brother in the fair this evening, why did you not bring this to his attention?” His eyebrow lifted.

“I honestly was going to go back to my own command before telling you, but it was him that made me realize that I needed to show you. That I needed to trust you.” I turned my gaze away sheepishly.

He turned away, running a hand through his hair in a rare display of frustration. “This is... troubling.”

“Kas,” I said softly, dropping the formalities. “I wouldn't have come to you unless I was certain.”

He glanced back at me, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. We must act cautiously.”

Just then, the door to the chamber swung open, and Ryler burst in, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with urgency. “I heard there was a meeting. What's going on?”

The sudden intrusion shattered the fragile calm. I shot a glance at Kas, who nodded subtly.

“Ryler,” Kas addressed him, slipping the data pad into his robes. “We have a situation that requires discretion.”

Ryler's gaze flicked between us, his lilac eyes narrowing. “What's happened?”

I took a deep breath, the air feeling thin. “There's a plot to overthrow the throne. Some of your council members are involved.”

Ryler's jaw clenched. “Are you certain?”

I nodded. “I've gathered substantial evidence.”

He ran a hand over his face. “This is worse than I thought.”

“You knew something was amiss?” Kas demanded, stepping forward.

Ryler hesitated. “I'd heard whispers—discontent among certain factions—but nothing concrete.”

“Why didn't you report this?” Kas's voice was edged with anger.

“Because I didn't have proof,” Ryler retorted. “And because I wasn't sure who I could trust.”

A tense silence settled over the room, the weight of unspoken accusations hanging in the air. The scent of ozone from the data pad's electronics mingled with the lingering aroma of incense, creating a disorienting blend.

“We need a plan,” I interjected, hoping to diffuse the tension. “If we confront them directly, they may act rashly.”

Kas nodded slowly. “Agreed. We'll need to gather more evidence and determine the extent of their network.”

Ryler stepped closer to me, his expression softening. “Maisie, how did you manage to uncover this?”

I met his gaze, the concern in his eyes easing some of my apprehension. “I've been monitoring communications ever since I noticed inconsistencies in the trade agreements. Something felt off.” It’s only been a short while, but the data tells the whole truth if you know what to look for.

He placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. “You put yourself at great risk.”

I offered a faint smile. “I couldn't stand by and do nothing.”

Kas cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to him. “We must keep this information contained. The fewer who know, the better.”

“Do you trust your guards?” I asked, glancing toward the door.

He hesitated. “With my life. But trust is a commodity we can't afford to spend frivolously right now.”

Ryler crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. “So what's our next move?”

Kas paced the length of the table, the soft rustle of his robes the only sound. “We'll need allies—people we can trust implicitly.”

I thought of the few contacts I'd made within the palace staff—those who had shown loyalty beyond duty. “I might know someone who can help,” I offered cautiously.

Kas stopped pacing, his gaze sharp. “Who?”

“Zoirse,” I said. “She's been invaluable since I arrived. Discreet and observant.”

He considered this. “Very well. But we proceed carefully.”

The tension in the room was palpable, a knot of anxiety twisting in my stomach. The flickering light from the sconces cast long shadows, and I felt a sudden chill despite the warmth of the chamber.

“There's something else,” I added reluctantly.

Both men turned to face me.

“I believe the coup may be supported by external forces,” I continued. “Possibly factions that oppose I.R.M.A.'s involvement here.”

Ryler swore under his breath. “That complicates things.”

Kas's expression hardened. “Then we may be facing a threat not just to Xeno Prime, but to intergalactic stability.”

The enormity of the situation settled over us like a heavy cloak. I rubbed my temples, a dull ache forming behind my eyes. The scent of the incense was now cloying, almost suffocating.

“We can't do this alone,” I whispered.

Kas stepped forward, his gaze intent. “Maisie, you've already risked so much. Are you willing to see this through?”

I looked up at him, the vulnerability in his eyes mirroring my own fears. “Yes,” I replied softly. “I am.”

Ryler placed a hand on Kas's shoulder. “We're in this together.”

A flicker of a smile crossed Kas's lips. “Then we act as one.”

The resolve in his voice reignited a spark of determination within me. Despite the fear gnawing at the edges of my consciousness, I knew we had to move forward.

“First,” Kas declared, “we need to verify the loyalties of those closest to us.”

“I'll start discreet inquiries,” Ryler offered. “See who might be swayed to our side.”

Kas nodded. “And I'll tighten security around the palace.”

I glanced between them. “And I'll continue to monitor communications. Perhaps we can intercept more information.”

Kas met my gaze. “Be careful. If they suspect you—”

“I know,” I interrupted gently. “But we don't have much time.”

He hesitated, then reached out to squeeze my hand. His skin was warm, his grip firm yet gentle. “Thank you,” he said quietly.

A flush crept up my neck. “We're all fighting for the same thing.”

Ryler cleared his throat, a teasing glint in his eyes despite the gravity of the situation. “You two can have your moment later. We've got work to do.”

I laughed softly, the sound easing some of the tension. “Right.”

Kas released my hand, a hint of reluctance in the gesture. “Let's reconvene at dawn. We'll share what we've learned and plan our next steps.”

We all agreed, and with a final exchange of determined looks, we parted ways.

As I made my way back through the silent corridors, the weight of the night's revelations pressed heavily upon me. The once comforting glow of the luminescent crystals now seemed cold, casting eerie shadows that danced at the edges of my vision. The air was thick, the lingering scent of ozone following me like specters.

In the solitude of my quarters, I sank onto the plush cushions by the window. The glass was cool against my forehead as I gazed out at the twin moons hanging low in the sky, their light casting a silvery path across the gardens below. The distant echo of festival celebrations had faded entirely, replaced by the quiet rustle of night creatures and the soft whisper of the wind.

Fear coiled in the pit of my stomach. I traced a finger over the intricate patterns embroidered on the cushion..

“Get it together, Maisie,” I whispered to myself. “You've come too far to back down now.”

A faint knock at the door startled me. My heart leaped into my throat as I stood, every nerve on edge.

“Who is it?” I called out, my voice steadier than I felt.

“It's Zoirse,” came the muffled reply.

Relief washed over me, and I quickly opened the door. Zoirse stood there, concern etched across her delicate features.

“I heard you visited the council chamber tonight,” she said softly. “Is everything alright?”

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But if I couldn't trust her now, when would I?

“There's... trouble,” I admitted, stepping aside to let her in. “I need your help.”

She entered, the soft rustle of her robes and the subtle scent of jasmine accompanying her. “Anything, Ambassador.”

I closed the door behind us. “Please, call me Maisie.”

She offered a small smile. “Very well, Maisie. What do you need?”

I took a deep breath, meeting her gaze. “I need to know who among the palace staff can be trusted implicitly. And I need you to be my eyes and ears.”

Understanding dawned in her eyes. “You suspect betrayal.”

I nodded. “More than suspect. I have evidence.”

She placed a reassuring hand on my arm. “You can count on me.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, gratitude swelling within me.

She gave a determined nod.