Page 35 of When Eden Falls

“Indeed. I can take you there. Tomorrow, maybe, if your commander allows it.”

Cora beamed at Rooke. He rolled his eyes at her silent persuasion, followed by an accepting nod.

“Wonderful,” Havav boomed, smiling at Cora, causing her to blush. “I shall look forward to it.”

Both Zamya and Cora continued to ask questions about the Akquarians. Once dinner was finished, Havav gestured for us to follow him through another doorway into a luxurious sitting room. The balcony doorway was open, allowing a cool breeze to filter into the room. I stood by the opening, gazing out into the darkness, glimpsing the stars through the scattering of dark clouds, wondering what direction Allura lay in.

Slow, padded feet sounded from behind and Rooke appeared next to me, handing me another glass of the peach-coloured wine. “I get the impression you like this drink.”

“I do. I could easily become addicted to it.” I took the glass from him.

He chuckled. “I always knew someday you’d stoop to my level.”

“Hey, I can handle my drink just fine.”

“So can I.” He chuckled again and looked at me,reallylooked at me. “You look so different.”

“So do you. Baby face.” I smiled, gesturing to the non-existent beard. “Why’d you shave it off?”

“I had to. Akquarian rules. I get the impression they don’t allow them because they can’t grow them themselves.”

I snorted, glancing at the guards scattered motionlessly around the room. All six of them were fair and pale without a trace of facial hair. Maybe Rooke had a point.

Rooke’s tone shifted to a softer one, “Are you alright, though? No issues with anything?”

“Everything seems fine. Other than your radio silence today.” I sighed, pushing away the traumatising thoughts that had whirled irrationally around my head earlier.

“I’ve been accompanying Havav since mid-morning. He seems very inquisitive about us.”

I glanced at the Akquarian leader, lounging in a large armchair, casually talking with Kobe and Cora who sat on the rock-based sofa next to him. “To the point we should be worried?”

Rooke shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He flicked his eyes about the room and said in an undertone, “He took me on a tour of the fortress. I didn’t see any tech. None what-so-ever. I don’t believe they could’ve been the ones who drew the scouting ship here.”

“They may keep said equipment hidden elsewhere.”

Rooke scrunched his nose up and shook his head in doubt.

“If they weren’t the ones who lured the scouting ship in, then who did?”

Rooke shrugged his shoulders. “Havav wants to meet with each one of you individually. Maybe we could probe him with our own questions.”

I nodded but froze when I caught the scrutinising glare of the blue caped guard, standing a couple of metres behind Havav.Definitely a personal bodyguard. I swallowed and looked back at Rooke’s distant, contemplative daze. “Even though we feel comfortable here, we still need to remain vigilant.”

“I completely agree.”

“Any news on Oz?

“I saw him this afternoon.” There was a hint of relief in Rooke’s expression. “He’s only semi-conscious, but…stable. A lot better than yesterday, so improving.”

“That’s a relief.”

“And Havav has agreed to help us with fixing our ship.”

“Really? That’s good. Very good.”

“It is.” Rooke smirked. “So, you agree it was a risk well executed, then?” He lifted his eyebrows in anticipation of me chiding him. But I smiled and nudged him with my elbow. “You’re an arrogant, risk-taking bastard.”

“One you can’t live without, though, yeah?”