Katrina winced. If they came back to the room and gave her one more shot, if they pushed on her abrasions or bruises one more damned time, she’d go ballistic.

Persima smiled at her calmly from the other side of the infirmary room. She’d insisted on staying with Katrina.

Honestly, Katrina didn’t mind. If she wasn’t Eph’s accomplice, she was definitely someone Katrina could consider a friend.

Finally, the medical staff left the two of them alone on the third floor of what they’d called the Governor’s Building.

Looks more like the White House to me. But Katrina wasn’t going to tell them that. They’d probably be offended if she told them their government building was patterned after an offshoot of their civilization.

“So, why did you choose to betray Eph?” At Persima’s startled look, Katrina changed her phrasing. “I mean, why did you go against his wishes?”

“I owe Jeweler my life. I’d never deny him.”

“Who is this Jeweler guy?”

“He’s the most powerful man on Marcomal.”

“Is he the one who brought us here?”

Persima shook her head, a worried look on her face. “That was the government’s soldiers. The government would never have agreed to pay a ransom for a hostage, but I hadn’t expected them to conduct an investigation. To look for you. Or even to find you.” She wrung her hands together. “This isn’t good, though, because Jeweler had made other arrangements. It wasn’t to be a government force that took you.”

Katrina shuddered. She was glad it was. Who knew what kind of plans this Jeweler guy had for her. And though Katrina genuinely liked Persima, she had no reason to trust that Jeweler’s intentions weren’t nefarious.

A loud commotion came from outside the hallway.

Oh, Jesus. Now what? Surely that wasn’t Eph coming to claim her. Hopefully, the government’s security team guarding the building could keep them at bay.

Katrina shoved her hand in her pocket, making sure the locket hadn’t somehow fallen out. She was reassured by the coolness of the metal. At least that’s one thing that hasn’t gone wrong.

Though she still needed to make sure it got to the right person, who was probably pissed off and tired of waiting on Janus. He wouldn’t jump the gun and go after her sister and mother, would he? Worry began to tear at her anew.

“I’ve got to get back to Janus.” She got up from the medical bay bed. “Immediately.”

Persima flew to the door, blocking it with her body. “You can’t start wandering the streets of Galargon. What if Eph finds you? Or worse?”

Katrina got in her face. “Is there anyone worse than Eph? I mean, really? Is there?”

“Not for me.” Persima’s tone was somber. “Eph will have me killed when he finds out I’ve betrayed him for Jeweler.”

“Then you stay here. I got this.”

Persima grabbed both of Katrina’s hands, using two hands for each of hers.

This is not a fair fight.

“You can’t go. I told Jeweler I’d have you delivered safely to his cousin. You can’t go.”

“The hell I can’t.” But struggle as she did, she had no luck in getting loose from Persima’s four hands. Then Katrina lost it. Tears sprang to her eyes at the helplessness of the situation. “You’ve got to let me. My mother and my sister… they could be killed over this. I should never have agreed to go to Janus.”

Outside the door, the fracas stopped. Clearly, the security team had managed to quell whatever problem had arisen.

“I thought you went to Janus to be a mail order bride. That is what Eph said.”

“Let me go. I need to wipe my face. I’m a blubbering mess.”

Persima let go of one hand but pushed her back toward the bed. “So, what is this about your mother and sister?”

Katrina felt woozy suddenly. “What’s…? Why…? I feel dizzy.”

“They gave you something to relax you, to make the pain less intense. You’ve got a broken rib.”

“Dam… da… dammit.” Now she struggled to get her words out. There was no way she could escape. She couldn’t escape a three-legged tortoise while under the influence of whatever they’d given her.

“So back to your mother and sister?”

“I agreed to bring something to Janus in exchange for money for my sister’s operation.”

“And what does the mail order bride thing have to do with that?”

“That’s the way I was to get to Janus without raising suspicion.”

“So, what were you to bring?”

Katrina told her the whole sordid story, including showing her the locket.

Persima reached out, took the locket between her fingers, tracing the intricate designs on the outside. “Why would this matter?” She looked at it closely. “Have you opened it?”

“No. The man told me it was rigged to tell them if it had been tampered with, and if I opened it, they’d know and our deal would be off.” With every passing second, Katrina felt dizzier. “I think I need to sit.”

Persima helped her onto the bed then lifted and swiveled Katrina’s legs so she was lying in the bed, partially upright.

“Hmm. I have an idea.” Persima pursed her lips. “It might work.”

“If the idea doesn’t involve sending someone to Earth to protect my mother and sister, I’m not interested.”

“But—”

“No. As much as I appreciate what you’ve done so far… not interested. Any deviation could risk my mother and Misha.”

Persima’s grimace spoke her disagreement, but she let the matter drop.

There was a knock at the door.

Katrina frowned. “No more shots to relax me. I can’t be passing out.”

Persima strode to the door and opened it.

A good-looking man, older, but somehow familiar walked inside then closed the door behind him.

Katrina stared at him. She’d never met him, of that she was sure, but he seemed so familiar.

“I’m Brafur Menen.”

Persima gasped.

Katrina stared between the two.

“Governor.” Persima’s tone was hushed.

Governor of what?

“Katrina Lopez?” Governor Menen raised a brow.

“That’s me.”

“You are a very popular woman. Seems characters of all types want to get a hold of you.”

Katrina wasn’t sure how to respond. Not quite something you’d thank someone for saying. Then the words came to her. “I’d like to return to Janus to fulfill my obligation, sir.”

“I’m sure. But you were kidnapped and brought to Marcomal. And we have to prosecute the offending parties. Your presence will be needed for the trials.”

“What?” Katrina bolted upright, her spine straight. “You can’t do that.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression stern. “Of course, I can. I am the final word on this planet.”

She swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Then you’re no better than the kidnappers. And you’re risking people’s lives.” She clenched her fists tightly to keep some measure of control over her emotions, but damn if the tears weren’t building again.

His lips curved upward in a barely-there hint of a smile. “It’s clear what my son sees in you, though he won’t admit it himself.”

Huh?

Did Katrina plan on yelling? No. But by this point, she’d been pushed too far. Did these people not understand what was at stake? “I don’t know what the hell you’re—”

The door opened, cutting off her tirade.

Rush stepped inside, followed by Caayn, Boron, and Bruze.

Katrina froze, stared at him open-mouthed. Then she looked at the governor, then back to Rush.

Comprehension sunk in.

She turned to the governor. “You’re his father.”

The governor nodded. “Fraruska is my son.”

She tilted her head. “Fraruska?”

Rush smiled. “The name I was given when I was born.”

“Rush. You’ve got to help me.” No point in beating around the bush. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

“I know.” His face was crestfallen. “You’re eager to return to your intended. I don’t think there’s been word of Maz’n’s homecoming.”

The governor frowned. “Maz’n and his group were massacred. Their bodies were recovered. It hasn’t been announced publicly yet.”

“I still have to go back. Listen to me.” She stood up.

The world began to spin.

Persima wrapped four arms around her to steady her.

“She’s got—”

That was the last thing Katrina heard before everything faded to darkness.