Chapter Two

“Why are you here?” the female interrogator asked.

Daeja gritted her teeth to stop from blurting her answer. Her clothing was wet, and she was grossly uncomfortable.

Besides, what could she offer as an explanation? Should she confess her entire species was endangered? That they were without home, without hope, and ruled by a madman?

No. That would leave her in a worse predicament than wet clothes and shackles.

The real reasons she had crash-landed on this godsforsaken planet were better kept to herself.

“Are you here to hurt us?” the female queried.

Ha! That was a laugh. Who captured who?

She wanted to ask but held her tongue. Maybe the woman would reveal more that way. Daeja had learned the hard way that listening was a far more useful tool than blabbing.

It was how she’d learned of Cass Viper’s true plan. The self-important male had revealed his intentions one night while she’d been cleaning his quarters.