Page 13 of Possessed by the Dragon Alien (Zarux Dragon Brides #6)

NINE

Two cycles had passed since her encounter with the strange, pale official.

Nena’s hands were steady as she knelt in the meditation grove, methodically trimming the dense foliage of an ornamental bush.

Her muscles ached, but here, in this secluded corner of the gardens, she found a strange peace.

The area was reserved for high-ranking officials seeking solitude.

The polished stone paths and carefully arranged plantings were designed to inspire contemplation.

Silver chimes hung motionless in the still air; the artificial breeze that usually rustled through the gardens didn’t reach this sheltered spot.

She’d been surprised to be assigned here.

Most workers hoped to avoid the meditation grove, fearful of disturbing any officials who might arrive.

But today it sat empty and quiet, the silence broken only by the soft snip of her shears.

The privacy was a welcome change from the watchful eyes that had followed her since her conversation with Madrian.

Here, surrounded by the sweet scent of blooming vines and the cool shadows of towering trees, she could almost forget she was a prisoner. Almost.

She reached deep into the branches to clip an errant stem, and her fingers brushed something hard and smooth.

Not a twig or leaf. Frowning, she parted the branches and found a small metallic disc nestled in the foliage.

It was barely larger than her thumbnail, with a faint blue light pulsing at its center.

Some kind of device? She’d seen similar tech used by the guards to monitor prisoner conversations. Someone must have accidentally dropped it, or hid it here intentionally.

A burst of static made her jump. The device had activated, voices suddenly flowing from it clear as water:

“—showing all the signs. Just like the others.” The voice was female, clipped and cold.

“Are you certain?” A male voice this time. “Madrian has always been loyal.”

“He’s been watching her. Speaking with her. The affliction is taking hold, just as we predicted it would.”

Her heart pounded as she processed the proof that she wasn’t here by accident at all. She knew some powerful people had orchestrated her arrival, using her to test someone. That someone was Madrian.

“Then the experiment worked,” a third voice said. “Bringing the Terian female here proved he’s susceptible.”

“Like all Zaruxians apparently are,” the first voice replied. “They can’t resist Terian mates. We can’t risk Madrian following the same path.”

“We shouldn’t be surprised. These species share an ancient past.” This voice was deeper, weighted with authority. “The connection between their species runs deeper than we understood. We should never have tried testing it.”

“What’s done is done. The question now is how to contain this before we lose Central too. Do we eliminate Madrian?”

“Too risky. He has many supporters. Remove the female instead. Cut out the trigger before the bond fully forms.”

Nena pressed a hand to her mouth, stifling a gasp. They’d brought her here deliberately, to test Madrian. And now they wanted to kill her because it had worked too well.

“The other rebellions started this way,” someone said. “Small interactions. Brief conversations.”

“Then suddenly they’re bonded and turning against us,” the first voice cut in. “The arena, the brothel, and the mines were all lost because we underestimated this connection.”

“The settlements too,” another added. “That overseer was completely loyal until he met the Terian female. Now look what’s happening there.”

Nena’s fingers trembled against the device. The settlements? Was something happening back home?

“This affliction spreads fast once it takes hold,” someone said. “The Zaruxians become protective, possessive. They start questioning orders.”

“Their dragon forms emerge.”

“Exactly. And we can’t have a dragon loose in Central. Especially not one as powerful as Madrian.”

“He cannot reunite with them,” the female said. “They absolutely cannot find him.”

Dragon forms? Nena’s mind spun. Zaruxians had wings, sure, but were these officials saying that they could physically transform into different creatures entirely?

“Then we’re agreed?” The authoritative voice again. “The female must be eliminated before the bond strengthens. Make it look like an accident. A fall, perhaps. Or a faulty hygiene pod.”

“When?”

“Tonight. During sleep cycle. Quick and quiet.”

The voices faded into static, then silence.

Nena sat frozen, her knees aching against the stone path.

They were going to kill her. Not for anything she’d done, but because she might affect Madrian.

Because there was something between their species, something the Axis feared enough to test, but couldn’t control.

She looked at the device in her palm. She should leave it. Pretend she never heard this conversation. But her fingers closed around it instead. This was proof of their plans. Proof that none of this was random.

But who could she tell? Not Lulit or the other workers. Not the guards. And Madrian…

Her chest tightened at the thought of him. Was he truly affected by her presence? Was that why he kept seeking her out, speaking to her like she mattered?

She slipped the device into her pocket and picked up her shears with shaking hands. She had until sleep cycle to figure out what to do. To decide if she should try to run, or find some way to warn Madrian that they were both being manipulated.

But even as fear clawed at her throat, something else stirred beneath it.

The settlements were in rebellion. Had her friends survived the auction?

Were they part of what was happening? And this connection between Terians and Zaruxians…

It explained the pull she felt toward Madrian, the way his presence both unsettled and steadied her.

A twig snapped nearby. Nena’s head jerked up. Through the leaves, she spotted two guards patrolling the outer path. She ducked lower, pressing herself against the trunk of an ornamental tree until their footsteps faded.

She needed to move. Staying here was dangerous, but returning to her normal duties might be worse. They were watching her, studying her interactions with Madrian. Every moment in the open made her more vulnerable.

Nena gathered her tools with practiced motions, her mind racing. The device in her pocket felt like it was burning against her leg. She had information now, but she also had proof that she wasn’t just another prisoner in the Axis machine. She was part of something bigger.

She stepped onto the path, keeping her movements casual, unhurried.

Inside, her thoughts churned like storm clouds.

They’d mentioned other facilities in rebellion—an arena, a brothel, mines.

Places where Zaruxians and Terians had formed bonds.

Where they’d turned against the Axis together. And the settlements.

Now they feared the same would happen here with Madrian.

Nena squared her shoulders and headed for the greenhouse. She had until sleep cycle to make the choice whether to run and hide or face whatever was coming. But one thing was clear—she couldn’t stay in her cell tonight. They were coming for her, and she refused to make it easy for them.

She thought of Madrian’s silver eyes, of the way he’d looked at her with curiosity, interest, and a little nervousness. If what they said was true, if there really was some ancient connection between their species…

Then maybe she wasn’t as alone as she thought.