She’d presumed the garments he’d given her were his preference not the current style. “Okay, we can figure that one out, but you need to stop treating me like a child. I didn’t neglect my health by choice. I want to recover my strength as badly as you want me recovered. I don’t need to be reminded to eat.”
He dipped his head, but one corner of his mouth quirked. “I’ll do my best, but I feel more protective of you than I’ve ever felt of anyone.”
“I’m flattered, I think.” It was obvious he meant what he said, but she was afraid to ask why. Kara and Natalie were convinced this was some fated meeting of eternal souls. Of course, they also said Jaron was the biggest flirt on Sarronti Prime. It was more likely he was just fascinated by a novel experience and these intense feelings would fade. She shook away the pessimism and started eating again, working her way through what appeared to be fresh fruit. “Back to Malik. Why does he need us in Ghost City?”
“Because Zerna, Indrex Farr, and Kantor Alonov are in detention cells there and we are going to interrogate them.”
She felt her eyes widen and her fork stalled halfway to her mouth. “I was just angry because Malik decided not to arrest her before. I don’t want to go head-to-head with that monster.” She set down her fork, food forgotten. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it back then put both her hands in her lap. “I can’t do that right now.”
“We are in the position of power this time and you will not be alone.”
“I don’t know how to control my power,” she objected. “Everything I’ve done has been spontaneous.”
“That’s not true.” His tone was firm yet encouraging. “You intentionally contacted Salvo. That is the only reason we are out of subspace.”
“I was just the vehicle Velmar was driving.” Zerna’s sneering image filled Nikki’s mind and she shuddered. “I never want to see that bitch again.”
He studied her silently for a moment, his expression unreadable. “It’s your choice and always will be, but I’d like you to return with me in case you change your mind.”
That seemed fair, and Kara and Natalie had been nice. It would be great to spend some more time with them. If she went to Riverside, she’d be surrounded by strangers and there was nothing she could do to help her friends until their DNA samples arrived from Earth. “Fine,” she acquiesced with a sigh. “I’ll go with you, but that’s all I promise.”
They lapsed into silence as they ate. Jaron watched her intently, but Nikki was lost in thought. Zerna had been smug and cruel, mocking and hatful. Despite Nikki’s guilty conscience, Zerna was the reason Haley and Selina were fighting for their sanity. If Nikki took the coward’s way out, Zerna might get away with what she’d done. Nikki could not allow that to happen. “What exactly do you want me to do?”
Jaron quickly took a bite but not before Nikki saw his triumphant smile. He knew she’d do it, had just been waiting for her to work through her fear. “That depends on your abilities. Malik wants to wait a few days before we begin the interrogation.”
“But all three of them are rich and powerful. What do you call them, elite?” she argued. “Won’t they be missed? Will the other elite demand their release or try to break them out by force?”
“That’s why they were taken to Ghost City instead of the detention center in Riverside. The elite know of the arrests, but they do not have any idea where the accused are being held.”
“All right, that makes sense, but why wait to start questioning her? We could have the information we need before her friends figure out where she is.”
“Possibly,” Jaron admitted. “We want Zerna to experience a tiny bit of what she put you and the others through. We want insecurity and doubt to take root in Zerna’s mind and then you and Velmar, who is actually me, will walk into the interrogation room.”
“Why don’t you and the real Velmar question her? He will have had several more days to recuperate by then.”
Jaron sighed and his expression became guarded. “For reasons I won’t get into, Velmar has been a reluctant participant in the rebellion. He is not a coward as many claim, but he wants nothing to do with organized society. He only agreed to help us because of his friendship