Reclaiming Mystique (SpaceStalker Saga Book 2) by Bevan Greer Page A

acting oddly.
    Her sister had shed her wraith form and looked around her in a suspicious manner before hurrying into the woods beyond Father’s home.
    Naria started after her, intrigued. What could she be up to at this hour? Carinna should have been working with Lord Feera. She never altered her schedule, so to see her walking outside of Lord Feera’s observatory alerted Naria to be wary.
    Naria followed her sister deeper into the woods then stopped. Carinna hid behind a large rock staring at something. When Naria heard a rustle of movement, she took better cover while her sister shimmered into wraith form. Able to track her sister even in the spiritual realm, Naria watched as an offworlder investigated the spot where Carinna stood silently.
    What in blazes was going on?
    How had an offworlder escaped her father? This man had to be one of Jace’s crew.
    Then something totally bizarre happened. Carinna reached out and touched the man, sending him stumbling back in confusion as he looked around him for the source of contact. Instead of sounding an alarm or terrorizing him, Carinna leaned closer to whisper something.
    The Fenturi calmed and walked deeper into the woods, followed by her sister. The two soon disappeared from sight.
    Carinna was involved with a Fenturi. The thought boggled the mind. Now that Naria thought about it, she hadn’t seen this man in the cell with the others. He was definitely the one who’d escaped. Most likely by Carinna’s own hand.
    Pursing her lips in thought, Naria walked quietly back to her father’s house, her mind awash in this newest twist on the prisoners.

-4-
     
    Before the dinner bell, Naria stood outside the red cell, as instructed by her father.
    “Stay in this cell and I’ll bring him to you,” he ordered. “This time I want you to get our prisoner to tell you of his past. Make him at least show you a bit of his mental abilities. I am most curious to see where this human comes from.”
    “Yes, Father.”
    “I’m not pleased with your appearance, but I realize it’s part of your ruse. Best you clean up before rejoining us for meal time.” Lord Demise had a reputation for fastidiousness and an almost obsessive desire for neatness.
    “Yes, Father.”
    She entered and sat at the lone table in the rock-walled room. The red cell occupied a corridor parallel to Jace’s cell. She wore the same thing she’d had on when she first met Jace, the torn black tunic dotted with bloodstains from her head wound. She had checked her appearance and knew she looked a fright. With care, she had rubbed some dirt into her hair and onto her face, making sure she looked like a prisoner who had gone without sanitary amenities.
    Excited about seeing Jace again, she did her best to remember to play her part. She could not allow her father the slightest hint she meant to help Jace escape. But she also had to get Jace to trust her without revealing her true identity.
    The door to the cell burst open and Jace flew through the doorway to land at her feet. The door closed behind him with a solid thump, leaving them alone in solitude, the flickering torch on the rock wall the only source of light or warmth in the cell.
    “Are you all right?” she asked as he picked himself up and approached her.
    “Just fine,” he said bitterly, staring behind him at the closed door. She saw his fists curled by his sides and gasped when he turned his head. He had bruises along the right side of his face, as well as a split lip.
    “Truly, you look terrible,” Naria said with all honesty.
    He walked toward her, favoring his ribs with an arm around his midsection. He sat slowly and locked gazes with her.
    After a moment, he said, “You don’t look too bad.”
    “Lord Demise dragged me in here and then left me alone.” She ran a hand through her natty hair. “They don’t seem to believe in bathing on this world.”
    “That isn’t the worst of it.” Jace frowned. “So you haven’t seen anyone or anything