{Reipon}

Ross gripped her chain as Sagan and her mysterious dance partner completed another revolution around the ballroom. Beautiful and elegant, they made quite the match. Which surprised the younger Progeny as she recalled the Seamswalker describing her boyfriend very differently. For starters, this guy’s hair was black, and Korac’s hair was white. And the war criminal was a smidgen taller than the ringmaster. Never mind that.

She planned to wave this time around and get the more experienced girl’s attention. This bizarre game of intrigue and life-threatening politics unnerved her. Ross required guidance before disaster struck—

Rumbling. Fire. Rocks.

An explosion knocked Ross into Iuo, who grabbed her and threw them both to the side. A pillar of shiny black rock fell and busted where they once stood. Morphed in his humanoid form, the Lamia raised off of her in a plank. With black and blue reptilian eyes, he scanned her for injuries.

“Are you all right?” When not shouting in concern, his voice sounded pleasant. “Ross?” Yes, his voice hissed her name in a serpentine lisp. All “S” sounds brought it out.

A tear in her silk pants split the material down one leg, displaying a few scrapes. But that was it, and they were already healing. “I think I’m fine. Thank you for saving me.” Her voice shook, and her hands trembled as she tried to sit up.

“Wait a moment. Wait until the leads stand up and account for one another to avoid drawing attention to yourself.” Smart man. He peered down at her shaking hands with a crinkle in what passed as his brows. “Are you in shock?” Without waiting for her to answer, he sat up and removed his jacket. The gentleman even draped it over her shoulders.

“Iuo. Thank you. But I don’t think Tumu will kill you for something so far outside your control.”

Oh, shit. He recoiled as if she slapped him.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m only surprised you care so much for a girl you met a few days ago without… you know? Incentive.”

Rigid and formal, he corrected her assumptions. “That’s precisely what offends me. We may all be snakes on Reipon, but we’re not all vipers.” After another moment, he softened and helped her stand. “But you’re young and raised on an isolated planet. So, I’ll forgive you this once. I care about you and the other Progeny, Ross.”

The silence after the explosion distracted her from the Lamia’s kindness. No one screamed. What kind of people attended this party that no one seemed shocked at all?

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“Eminent Wiw is dead,” an unfamiliar voice echoed off the walls.

Ross’ breath hitched. No. The wizened Tritan was so nice to her in Enki. She clutched her chain. If she’d used it, would he be alive now?

The woman who announced his passing took to the center of the room. Beautiful black skin. Long hair of varying styles and textures—braids, twists, dreadlocks—all black and woven with white ribbon. Shocking blue eyes struck Ross’ recollection, but she was sure she never met someone who vibrated with such energy. Alive. Like electricity. A presence roiled beneath the surface. Something older.

Again, the unknown female called out to the crowd, “This is a charity gala to celebrate the upcoming auction. Who would attack such a haven of generosity and action? To kill an Eminent—A Tritan! Those responsible will know retribution and pain.”

A second Tritan, a shorter one Ross recognized from Enki, went to her side and reasoned with her, “Eminent Celindria—” Oh, shit. So this was her. “We’ll find the organization responsible and seek justice for Wiw. But first, let’s take him to Enki. Let’s take our brother home and say goodbye.”

“Of course, Eminent Lance. Eminent Abresson, how is the state of security to evacuate…” They continued the conversation off to the side.

“Iuo, I liked Eminent Wiw.” Ross needed to share that with someone.

The Lamia squeezed her shoulder. “We all did. We’ll miss him very much. Especially now that Eminent Celindria is on the tribunal—”

“Did you say another Progeny was here? Other than the Seamswalker?” Celindria’s voice rose in volume as that sentence went on.

And Ross’ blood ran cold.

Iuo whispered to her, “Don’t move. It’ll only exacerbate matters. You’re my guest.”

But why was Tumu’s Lamia contact here? Did he possess enough wealth to attend charity balls and auctions? What sort of connections brought him here?

“Ross, I intended what happens next. Please keep your faith in me a little while longer while you face your next set of trials.” He pulled back and entreated her with those blue and black eyes.

She knew genuine terror.

He called out, “Eminent Celindria, this young woman is—”

“Ross Roberts,” the ethereal woman finished for him.

Eminent Lance looked away from Abresson to gape at the young Progeny woman. “What in Enki’s name are you doing here, child?”

Ross winced at the parental tone in his rebuke. She always hated getting in trouble. “Seeing the galaxy?” Her voice sound tiny and insignificant compared to the other woman’s regal speech.

Iuo announced, “I found her meddling around Reipon and took it upon myself to investigate. I don’t believe she’s responsible for this act, but I suspect her involvement in its fostering terrorist cell.”

Gaping at him, Ross scoffed, “You can’t be serious. Iuo! How could you—”

“Take her into custody. We’ll let Eminent Celindria interrogate her.” Eminent Abresson dismissed her incarceration with a wave.

Ross dug in for one last glower at someone she considered a friend before letting the Mon3 drones pull her away. On the way through the cleared entrance, she overheard Celindria mutter orders to one of her guards, “I can’t waste time with her. Assign her to Razor’s custody until I’m available for more menial tasks.”

Ross contained her anger. She learned through arguments with her brother that blowing up solved nothing. Bide her time. Wait until the perfect opportunity presented itself and take it. As she passed Celindria on the way to their super swanky space motorcade, the confident woman all but jeered at Ross. But the young woman gave her nothing in return. And, as they shoved Kyle’s sister into the car, the Eminent looked bothered.

Good. They’ll soon find out what Ross was made of.