Dekkir (Galaxy Alien Warriors #1)(13)
“Grace is innocent in intent. However, her arrival coincided too closely with the attack for us to discount the connection. So the question is, did she assist the would-be assassins without knowing it?” Gray Cloak’s expression was very thoughtful as she gazed at me.
I felt my heart start beating fast. The idea that I had been used by one of my superiors to help incite a war infuriated me. Was it possible? I went back over the few hours I had been on Lyra before the assassination attempt: my crash landing, Dekkir rescuing me, the brief audience with the high chieftain, the argument with Dekkir, filing my report with Command, an attack by a swarm of giant insects, Dekkir rescuing me again . . . The drone must have gone after Dorin during the insect attack, which means if I did something, it happened before that . . . Wait.
I swallowed. “When I had my audience with the high chieftain, I was overdue to give a report to my superiors. They had asked me to record images of Lyra to go with my reports. I took one of High Chieftain Dorin while he was sitting on his throne.”
A rustle went through the assembled seers, and my fists clenched in outrage. Someone used me, dammit. Many of the drones operated on visual recognition to find their targets. Without my photograph, it might not have been able to find Dorin.
My lips trembled as I glared at the stone floor. How could I have been so stupid? I had trusted Command, forgetting even if there was no larger agenda to cause problems on Lyra, every organization had its troublemakers. It wasn’t even my fault—I should have been able to trust them. But I still felt like a fool for doing so.
“I see,” Blue Cloak said icily. I clenched my teeth behind my lips and sat silent; after a few moments, he surprised me by chuckling. “It’s become clear you have been used as a pawn by those truly responsible. As a result, we will continue to retain your communications device and other electronics until we know for certain we can trust you. In addition, you will assist us in finding a cure for High Chieftain Dorin.”
I looked up at him in surprise. Dekkir and Dr. Stirling had both mentioned the Lyrans preferred that those accused of crimes work off their sentence in service of those they had wronged, but I had wondered if they would go the normal route with me. After all, I was an alien to them. It was almost a relief to hear I would be permitted to do something to correct my mistake. “How may I do that?”
“That will be determined after we take our findings to the chiefs’ council, which is meeting now to discuss their portion of this inquest.”
I swallowed. Dekkir was at that meeting, defending me to the others. He was putting his reputation at risk for my sake, despite the fact his affections for me went largely unrequited. We had come close to kissing before my arrest, but that was it. That didn’t stop him from protecting me time and again.
The possibility of Command itself having mandated this assassination left me torn in half inside. Justice in this case fell firmly on the side of the Lyrans, whose leader had been attacked without provocation. Nor did I plan to answer Dekkir’s sacrifices with betrayal. Yet Earth Command was my home and my people. What was I supposed to think if they were suddenly committing unprovoked murder and fomenting planetary war? It doesn’t matter. I’ll damn well do the right thing either way, no matter what it costs me.
“If there’s something I can do to help save the high chieftain’s life, I’ll do it. Tell the chiefs that.” I had many reasons to help now; it wasn’t just about guilt or honor. The high chieftain was also Dekkir’s father.
I looked around and saw the seers nodding approvingly. At least I had managed to prove to someone around here that I meant them no harm. I only hoped Dekkir too was finding success. I wasn’t in love with him, but I didn’t want him dealing with any more trouble because of me.
CHAPTER 6 / DEKKIR
“The girl is being used,” I stated calmly in Lyran as I stood facing the assembled chiefs. I stared around at them, fists on hips, standing at the base of my father’s empty throne. “She came here in good faith. I’m absolutely certain she had no part in this assassination attempt.”
“How can you be so sure?” The lank-haired, slightly chubby speaker, Brax, was chief of Twelvetrees, half a day’s flight from Highfort. “We are aware you have a certain . . . bias.”
“Be that as it may, the fact we are mated also means I can tell when she is lying to me. Grace was as shocked as I was to learn of the assassination attempt. She submitted to examination by the seers without protest. I am certain they will find her innocent, or as close to it as possible given her associations.”
The assembled chiefs muttered together; several heads nodded. I glanced back at my questioner. Brax fancied himself a rival of mine and was always picking at any perceived vulnerability—and always failing. The suspicions against Grace apparently looked to him like a prime opportunity. But I had spent decades earning the respect of the council, while he had inherited his position from his father barely two years ago. And I had faith in Grace. Fate would not have mated me to some craven backstabber.
“About her associations,” Chief Reela of far-off Stonemountain mused, tucking one of her gold ringlets behind her ear. “Are you suggesting she is being used by her own people?”
“That is exactly what I am saying, and that is why I agreed to have her communications device taken away from her. Without the influence of her superiors, I have no doubt she will come to prove her trustworthiness to all of us.”