The Dark Prince's Prize

Chapter 6-3

An hour later, Adalard was seriously contemplating breaking rule number two as Mason and Chad drove away. When Chad suggested they take the conversation indoors where it was warmer, he should have suspected the man was up to something. He discovered soon enough that Chad Morrison was an attorney.

There were legal counselors back on Ceran-Pax. They were the bane of his existence at times. The worst part of their powers was the ability to pull the truth out of their victims. Chad hadn’t yet displayed that ability because Adalard had nothing to hide, but his sheer doggedness was exhausting.

Mason reappeared ten minutes after they found seats inside, and the next hour consisted of their constant explanations that Samara was off-limits. Adalard wouldn’t make the mistake of underestimating these two men again. He had received more information from enemy assassins than from Chad and Mason. Of course, being able to t*****e them might have helped.

If it wasn’t for the buzz of his communicator, he would have been tempted to string both men up by their ankles and apply some good old-fashioned Curizan electro-shocks to their asses, or at least imagine doing it. Of course, he wouldn’t. Ha’ven and Paul would have his hide and more if he did, but it didn’t hurt to dream.

Instead, he curtly bid the men a good day. If he didn’t answer the vidcom this time, he suspected Ha’ven would be requesting an away team to find him. He was greeted with Ha’ven’s scowling face.

“You interrupted me,” he informed Ha’ven.

“I know you aren’t on the ship. Where are you? Why haven’t you checked in? I’ve been trying to contact you for the last hour,” Ha’ven snapped.

“Since when did I start reporting to you? In case you’ve forgotten, the Rayon I is under my command,” he dryly responded.

“Quill contacted me. After he checked over your transport, he was concerned that there might have been a tracking device placed on mine,” Ha’ven replied.

“Did you find anything?” he asked.

“No, I checked it thoroughly.”

Adalard studied his brother’s tense expression. “What’s wrong? I can tell something else is bothering you,” he commented.

Ha’ven glanced over his shoulder and sighed. “I worry about Emma,” he confessed.

“You are worried she may want to stay on Earth. She loves you, Ha’ven. You have nothing to worry about,” he said.

“I know,” Ha’ven replied with a grimace. “We are going tomorrow to retrieve her mother. She wishes to gather a few personal things to take back. We should return in a couple of days at most.”

“Take your time,” he encouraged.

Ha’ven’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?” he demanded.

Adalard pursed his lips and debated whether it was safe to share everything that was going on. The frequency they were using should be secure.

“I suspect whoever placed the tracking device on my transport also placed another type of device. I need time to locate it,” he explained.

“What kind of device?” Ha’ven asked.

“I don’t know yet. Whatever it is, Ha’ven, it is dangerous. It was draining me,” he grimly replied.

Ha’ven’s expression hardened. “Let me know what you discover. I haven’t had any issues. I recommend that the Rayon I and every transport be thoroughly searched,” he suggested.

“I was about to brief my officers aboard,” he said.

Ha’ven nodded. “Is there anything else?” he asked.

Adalard opened his mouth to reply before he shook his head. “No, I will need longer before I return. I don’t want to endanger anyone or the ship,” he said.

“If you need my help, let me know,” Ha’ven replied.

“I will,” he promised. “Stay safe. I’ll notify you if there are any issues.”

Ha’ven nodded and ended the link. Adalard stood and stared out of the window. Samara had emerged and climbed into the transport while he was talking to Ha’ven. Once again, she had eluded him.

Shaking his head, he decided to take care of business first so he could focus all his attention on his mate. A wry smile curved his lips at the thought that after all his boasting, he was well and truly caught—he had a mate. He sighed.

“I’m never going to live this down,” he murmured, thinking of his brothers’ reactions.

He pushed the thought away and pressed the vidcom link to the Rayon I.

“Rayon I,” the communication tech responded.

“This is Commander Ha’darra. Set up a secure link with Adur—Primary Code 1,” he ordered.

“Yes, sir,” the tech replied.

“Adalard, what is your situation?” Adur Jalar, his First Officer, asked.

“I’m fine, but I want the Rayon I searched. Talk to Engineer Tech Quill. He can fill you in on what was found on my transport. It may be an isolated issue, but I would rather be sure. I believe there is a second, more serious threat—a device that drains the energy from our bodies. I want a complete search of the ship to make sure it is clean. I will give you more information when I have it. Until everything is completed, all crew members are to remain onboard,” he instructed.

Adur grimaced. “The men aren’t going to be happy. Fortunately, there aren’t very many who are unattached onboard,” he replied.

Adalard grinned. “Give them a copy of Trelon Reykill’s PVC. That should keep them happy for a while,” he said.

Adur laughed. “I want them happy, not comatose. Let’s hope a thorough scan doesn’t take too long.”

“Agreed. Out,” Adalard responded, ending the connection.

First things first, he thought. I need to look like a local.

With a wave of his hand, the clothing he was wearing changed to mimic Mason’s with a few alterations. His black leather pants became faded denim jeans. He kept his boots, black shirt, and vest. His outer jacket changed to dark brown with an interior thermal lining that would keep him warm.

He held out his hand, and a black hat similar to the ones Chad, Mason, and Samara wore appeared in it. He looked at it with distaste before placing it on his head. A glimpse of his reflection in the window made him laugh. He looked human enough in this outfit.