Rory stared down at the small vial resting in her palm, then slowly lifted her gaze to the tall Rank Seven male Etherian standing before her. For a brief moment, her thoughts completely stalled, as if her mind had short-circuited.
Her brows drew together in confusion.
"Why would your leader send you to protect me?" she asked bluntly. "I don't even know anyone from the Interstellar Hunter Alliance."
The man answered without hesitation, his tone calm and respectful.
"Our leader is Jasper Lachman," he said. "He is your suitor."
Rory blinked.
Once.
Twice.
"Jasper…?" she echoed faintly.
For a heartbeat, the words didn't register. Then they hit her all at once.
Jasper—leader of the Interstellar Hunter Alliance?
Gina's jaw dropped as if she'd just seen a ghost walk out of the forest.
At the same time, a cold, sinking weight settled deep in Dax's gut.
Oh. Perfect. Just perfect.
