“Zia, no.”
“He is unconscious again,” the police agentsaid gruffly. “But not for long. I promise you, Quito, we will makehim wish for death.”
She forced herself to nod, knowing she shouldbe grateful. This officer was on her side, just like ninety-ninepercent of all Malarans were. They weren’t just allies, theyactually worshipped the Quito name and legacy.
But that other one percent . . .
How could she be sure this cop wasn’t one ofthem?
Retreating to Humber, she insisted, “Sendword to Rem, so he’ll be doubly careful on his way back. He may notbe a Quito, but they hate him too, I’m sure. They killed Pao like adog, and tried to do the same to the rest of us.” She paused, thenadded softly to the police officer, “I’m sorry about your soldiers.They never had a chance. The Vekzori shot them first, just to besure.”
“They are heroes,” the police officer agreed.“Because of them, you will still be able to pilot Quito’s colossusfor us.”
She buried her face in her hands, unable tolisten to any more crazy talk. Pao was dead, there was bloodeverywhere, and she wanted to go home. Now.
It was just as simple as that.
Chapter10
Jackson was in surgery. Harada was soundasleep in the infirmary with a monitor flickering next to hishospital bed. It would be hours before he would be awake, but thatdidn’t stop Zia from holding his hand and whispering words ofencouragement. And thanks. And apology. It had all happened sofast, and now here they were, stuck on Malara, safe for the moment,but knowing that the once-theoretical threat of Vekzor violence wasall too real.
“They killed my father, you know,” she toldher sleeping bodyguard. “Thank God they didn’t get you too. Dr.Annur says they might be able to send you and Jackson home in a fewdays. Lucky you.”
And unlucky me . . .
“Zia?” Rem’s voice behind her was hushed.
“Oh!” She jumped up and ran to him, wrappingher arms around his rock-hard chest. “You’re alive!”
“Yeah.” His hands moved over her back andshoulders as though taking inventory. “I can’t believe this.”
“Pao’s dead.”
“I heard. It’s a miracle they didn’t get youtoo. I can’t believe I let you out of my sight.”
She looked up at him. “I was glad you weren’tthere. They might have gotten you too. It was a bloodbath,Rem.”
“Damn.” His face was contorted with emotionas he insisted helplessly, “I should have been there.”
“Well . . .” She licked her lips. “You’rehere now.”
“Yeah. I’m here now.” He stared into hereyes, then cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her mouth. Onceagain, it seemed like he was confirming that somehow, by somemiracle, she was still alive. It was a miracle to Zia too, anddespite her vow never to let her guard down around him again, shelooped her arms around his neck and eagerly returned the kiss.
Then Harada groaned, and Zia jumped free ofRem, alarmed and embarrassed. Studying the patient’s face, sheconfirmed that he was asleep. Then she grimaced in Rem’s direction.“I guess he’s still on duty.”
“Yeah.” Rem’s smile was shaky. “We obviouslyneed to talk.”
“I agree. But not about that kiss. That wasjust a fluke.” She moved to the other side of the bed, then smiledacross at him self-consciously. “We’ve got bigger problems. Likewhat do we do now? It’s not safe here, Rem.”
“I agree. You should definitely go home.”
She shook her head. “That was my firstreaction too, but I’m past it. Those guys killed Pao. If I runaway, they accomplished what they wanted, or at least part of it. Iwon’t let that happen.”
“Okay.” Rem hesitated, then asked, “Do youstill trust Humber?”
“Of course!” She was shocked at thesuggestion, but realized Rem was right to at least raise it. Humberhad chosen the Malaran guards, and had encouraged Zia to rely onthem. And he had assured her it was fine to leave the rec centerwithout Rem. So it was a question that needed to be asked.
In fact, Humber himself had asked it,berating himself over and over during the ride from the hotel tothe hospital.
“He feels just awful about this, Rem. Hebarely trusts his own judgment anymore. We can’t possibly hold itagainst him. It would be so unfair after all he’s done for me. Andfor the alliance.”
“I agree. It wouldn’t make sense for him tohelp the Vekzori. But he vouched for those guys—”
“And two of them were heroes who diedprotecting me. If we’re going to stay here—and we are—wehave to trust Humber and the prime minister. They brought me here,remember?”
“Yeah. I just had to ask the question.” Remwalked over to her, then opened his arms, and said, “Comehere.”
She leaned gratefully against him.
“Were you scared, Zee?”
“You have no idea.” Looking up at him, sheadded wryly, “Turns out I’m a coward. So much for Daniel Quito’sDNA.”
“The officer who picked me up at the practicefields didn’t give me any details. How did it roll out?”
“It happened so fast,” she said, strugglingto remember the details she had been trying to forget for the lasthour. “Harada and I were in the kitchen. The others were in anadjoining room. Two of the Malarans opened fire with gas blasters.They focused on me and the good Malarans first, but like I said,I’m a pretty talented coward and managed to hide really fast. Idon’t think Pao had a chance, but Jackson did some firing, andHarada was fantastic. The good Malarans fired some rounds of gasfire too, but they were caught off guard, obviously. I tried tohelp with Harada’s spare gun, but I’ve never fired a weapon beforeand had no idea what I was doing. Plus, it didn’t matter, becauseit was over within seconds.”
“Man . . .” Rem’s expression grew stern.“From now on, you need to stay close to me. And by close, I meaninches. Don’t forget, I won a frigging medal for marksmanship. Ican protect you, but only if you cooperate. Otherwise, I’m puttingyou on the transport with Harada and Jackson.”
“Who would ride in the escort chamber withme?” she demanded teasingly. She knew his bossy attitude wasn’tjust bluster. This guy wasn’t going to let the Vekzori near her.Not ever again. And that
