Caught Between Two Blue Aliens - Celia Kyle Page 0,64
way to Drokten Main. Do you know where our Oso’s siblings are?”
“I…” Hiren started, looking down at Bea and Noah who’d both shifted uncomfortably.
“Jenna just contacted me,” Sevith continued. “She’s distressed because she cannot find her brother and sister. They both disappeared this morning during the small window of time between our guard’s shift change. I have already deployed an extra detachment of guards to search for them. Three teams will begin searching in formation clockwise around the city starting from their school.”
“There is no need for that,” Hiren answered. He tilted the screen toward the two children. “They’re here,” he said with a gently chiding look at the offspring in front of him but a kind smile. “My Azi, it seems we have a few things to discuss planetside. You can inform our Oso that her siblings are safely with me.”
“Are you at the human school?”
“No, I’m at Drokten Main, and the children are both here too. Once you arrive, we can all go back to Jenna’s apartment together,” Hiren said, looking meaningfully down to Bea and Noah and nodding for them to follow. Bea still looked like she knew she was in trouble, but she tugged Noah’s hand and they both started to follow Hiren toward the exit. “I will remain at Drokten Main with them until you arrive.”
“That won’t be necessary at all,” came a voice he’d grown to hate.
Hiren turned to see Secretary Wells following so closely behind them that it startled the kids.
“I have to go, my Azi. I have company,” Hiren said, ending the call before Sevith could protest. “Good morning, Secretary Wells. I did not know you were listening.”
Bea and Noah both quietly moved closer to Hiren’s side and stood just behind him, enough to put Hiren between them and Wells. The secretary gave them a puzzled look, but Hiren pretended not to notice. Instead, he took a much more subtle step between them and the secretary to acknowledge that he understood.
“Just passing by, couldn’t help but overhear,” the secretary lied with a good-natured laugh. “I would be more than happy to make sure these two children are taken care of while you and your Azi spend some time with Miss Perry.”
Hiren glanced down at Noah and Bea before smiling politely at Wells. “You are a very gracious host, Secretary Wells, but far be it from me to decide who has care of someone else’s children without speaking with Jenna.”
“But really,” Wells said, taking a step forward and giving a pained smile, “this is not becoming of an ambassador like you. I would be remiss to let you play babysitter.”
“Your concern is appreciated, but that won’t be necessary. I am in charge of these children,” Hiren said gently. “Thank you and goodbye.” He turned and ushered the kids along without another word, and they hurried alongside him.
“Thank you for that,” Bea said.
“Gratitude is not necessary,” Hiren murmured as he checked the time. “I do not want either of you in that human’s care.”
He sent Sevith a quick message to meet at Jenna’s apartment instead. Then he summoned a transport and stepped out of the Main with the kids, running a hand through his hair.
Hiren’s dislike of Wells went deeper than diplomatic distrust. Jenna had warned them that the male was plotting against them, and the more time Hiren spent around this particular human, the more he suspected the secretary was organizing something nefarious. He just didn’t know what it was, precisely...yet.
“Are...we in trouble?” Noah asked.
Hiren stopped and took a deep breath, smiling down at both of them. He had to admit, he was proud that they’d managed to get as far as they did with apparently no planning and no resources. But at the same time, the idea that they’d come close to falling into Wells’ care was disturbing.
“That will be for Jenna to decide,” he responded.
Eighteen
“Ma’am, just calm down. Please stop pacing and stand still for a moment.”
Jenna shot the police officer a fierce glare. “Calm down? My kids are missing! How the hell could I be calm about this?”
“Your kids? I thought they were your brother and sister.”
Jenna rolled her eyes and propped her hands on her hips. “They’re both. Noah and Beatrice are my younger siblings, but they’re also my dependents. They need me. Ever since our parents died during the invasion, I’ve been their sole guardian and caretaker. So, yes, they’re my kids,” she insisted.
“Again, take it down a notch, miss. No need to panic.”