Forged (Star Breed #10) - Elin Wyn Page 0,49

just a minute older, enough to claim all the privileges of being the elder.

I hugged him tightly, almost afraid to say anything.

Just happy to be back with my family.

But on the way over from the Kodo Ragir, scenes from that disgusting video played over and over in my mind.

Who would’ve done that? Uncle Ran wasn’t like that at all.

And while Grilla certainly had been an obnoxious individual, she certainly didn’t deserve to be killed like that. If she had been killed.

It was propaganda. I’d get to the hub and everyone would be fine.

Just Desyk pushing back against the hostile takeover of one of their stations.

Luca’s arms around me stiffened.

“I didn’t realize you were bringing guests,” he said, his voice the light, politely distant tone he always used around strangers.

I let go and stepped to the side.

“Luca, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Imperial Ambassador Rix Thalcorr.”

Thalcorr bowed, no doubt to whatever precise decree protocol demanded.

Unfortunately, it didn’t mean much here in the Areitis Sector.

“And this is Hakon,” I said, hoping the heat I felt in my cheeks didn’t show. “He saved me when my ship crashed after the observation dome was…”

Luca’s hand tightened around mine. “I didn’t know you were there,” he said softly. “I didn’t know you were anywhere near Station 112. Neither did uncle. You’ve got to believe me.”

Hakon’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

He didn’t need to.

I trusted my brother.

“Of course I believe you. It worked out fine.” I grinned up at him, unable to suppress the good news any longer. “And I’ve come back with a present.”

His eyebrows rose. “You found the files?”

Nodding excitedly, I tugged his hand, ready to go find Uncle Ran.

In the lift, Luca looked down at me, his expression stern.

“Yasmin, you do know that everything our uncle does is for the good of the corporation, right?”

“Of course,” I said, vaguely annoyed at the simple question. “It’s our family’s legacy. Our honor. We would all do anything for it.”

His eyes drilled into mine and for a moment, I felt like there was something he was trying to tell me, some secret message I couldn’t decipher.

With a gentle cough, Thalcorr broke in. “I must say, we weren’t expecting for there to be quite so much drama on our little visit.” He tilted his head gracefully, as he seemed to manage everything. “If your uncle has time, I look forward to speaking to him about the intricacies of this sector. There is so much we have to learn here.”

Luca didn’t return the smile.

“I don’t know what you think you can offer us. I’m not certain how our uncle feels about your presence, but we’ve gotten along fine without the Empire for generations.”

“Of course,” Thalcorr said, ignoring the insult. “But in my career, I found everyone could use more alliances. Terribly useful things, you know.”

And Hakon said nothing.

He watched me, watched Luca.

Part of me wanted to stay by his side, safe in his arms, never give up the magic that had sprung between us down on Sat 9.

But here, things were different.

This was the real world.

Luca and Uncle Ran were my real family.

And Hakon?

I’d learn to live without him.

I’d have to.

When the lift door opened, I dashed out, needing some space from the pressure of Hakon’s even gaze.

And there was Uncle Ran in the middle of the Command Center, waiting. All the weight and worry of the last few hours flew away as I went straight towards his open arms, ignoring the ‘negotiation specialists’ stationed around the room, their heavily armed presence startling.

“When they told me you were on board, that you’d actually been in that observation dome—” his voice broke off and I hugged him tighter.

“It’s alright now,” I said. “I just don’t know why you never got the message that I was here?”

Ran surveyed the technicians deployed along the consoles. “I don’t know why, either. But I will.” He smiled slightly. “Have no fear of that.”

He turned to Thalcorr and Hakon. “I understand I have you to thank for my niece’s safety.”

Thalcorr stepped forward. “An honor and privilege, Chancellor Denau.”

Uncle turned back to me and cupped my chin with his hand. “And I hear you have a present for me? Clever girl.”

Unfastening the pocket set into the seam of my pants, I fumbled until my fingers wrapped around the datachip. “I haven’t had a chance to examine the files, I’m afraid.”

“Well, let’s see what they are.” He pinched the chip from my grasp and held it out to the side.

Instantly, one of the