Page 33 of The Thren's Fated

“I want to go for a walk.”

The Thren grumbled, shaking his head.

“You are not supposed to leave the room.”

“Please!” she begged, clasping her hands together in desperation. “I need to stretch my legs.”

There was another grumble, but this time the Thren glanced around the empty hallway before gesturing for her to join him.

They walked side by side, neither one really leading the way, though the Thren pressed on a wall here and there to usher them down a different hallway. She tried to ask him questions, but he was stubbornly silent, not even willing to answer innocuous ones that had nothing to do with Screl or his ship.

Eventually, they came upon some sort of observation deck with panoramic windows, the glimmering stars causing Lena’s breath to catch. The curved, transparent panels offered an uninterrupted view, glowing orbs casting ambient light on the walkway leading to the windows.

A walkway with a figure standing on it, one who delivered a glare aimed directly at them.

“Commander Screl,” her guard said hastily, bowing as the commander ambled over.

“What is my little pet doing out of her cage?”

The guard stumbled over his words before Lena took over.

“I needed to stretch my legs. I was feeling too… stifled in my room.”

Screl’s gaze darted between her and the other Thren, and she couldn’t tell if he was angry or amused.

“Why is it so difficult for my crew to follow directions?” he asked, cocking his head.

Lena stepped between him and the guard, anxiety electrifying her nerves. If she were the reason Screl harmed another, she would never forgive herself.

“It’s not his fault. I forced him to take me for a walk, but we can head back now.”

“That is not necessary,” Screl said, focusing on the guard. “Leave. I will return the human when I’m done with her.”

The Thren bowed deeply before hurrying from the observation deck without so much as a glance her way, and when Screl turned his gaze to her, a cold icicle of dread wound its way through her nerves.

“Are your accommodations not satisfactory?” he asked, stepping close so she had to strain to look up.

Lena bit her tongue, trying to tamp down her fury, knowing it would do little good. The audacity to ask about her accommodations when he’d literally kidnapped her from her bed.

“They’re… fine. I just couldn’t sleep. Not after…” she trailed off, not wanting to flood her mind with images of the screaming man once again.

“I am sorry if I disturbed you earlier, but it was the right thing to do. That male deserved what I did to him.”

Was he trying to make himself sound noble? It was clear he had only done it for his own hubris, never mind the wicked thoughts racing through her head of Greg and the others.

“What happened to him?” she asked, feeling breathless in Screl’s presence.

“Do not worry your sweet little head about that.”

Lena swallowed hard, unsure if that was supposed to ease her anxiety or exacerbate it.

“Normally I have my meds to help me relax,” she said, though her voice wavered.

“Well, I can assist you with that, little human. I can put you right to sleep.”

Somehow, that sounded like a threat, the menacing grin doing nothing to quell her fear.

“If my pills don’t work, I usually read,” she said, ignoring his offer. “But your selection is a bit… interesting.”