Page 20 of Loving the Alien Spy

Standing in the center of the room—with Mak at his side—is Janik. His hands are clasped at his lower back, but because my skills at reading people are unmatched, I also note the discomfort and perhaps even a lack of the self-assurance and confidence he has always possessed. After all, he has been an object of my study for several anums while I posed as Bannikwithin the rebel camp. At my approach, he faces me, and the mask slides into place.

“Bannik,” he greets me.

“Your Highness.” I bow, but not before he flinches at the title. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

The guard who escorted me retreats from the room, closing the doors behind him, but two others remain posted within. I observe them both for a moment before returning my attention to Janik.

“I admit being curious as to why you asked for this meeting,” he says.

My gaze bounces over the two guards again. “The matter I need to discuss with you is highly sensitive and private. It is meant for no one’s ears but yours.”

Janik smirks. “How do I know you won’t attempt to kill me if we are alone?”

“I suspect your faithful companion would do far more damage to me than either of those two males if I should choose to attempt to harm you in their presence.” I lower my voice. “If your phinnek were absent, none of you would see me coming.”

Janik chuckles. “You have my attention.” He glances at one of the guards. “Leave us.”

The first male startles and casts a questioning look at the new prince. “Your Highness?”

His concern is waved off. “I wish to speak with Bannik without an audience. Mak will ensure my safety.”

The two guards still hesitate, but finally, they do Janik’s bidding and exit the room. My suspicion is that Horek will be notified, and I only have so much time before he arrives. Once I am certain we are alone, I drop Bannik’s demeanor and become my true self once more.

The prince blinks and cants his head to study me. “Who are you?”

“I am Carrik of House Deqan.”

Janik’s surprise is evident. “The hated elder brother. Or is that merely a lie?”

“It is a necessary truth.”

“And why is it necessary?”

“Because it keeps Bannik safe and makes what I do easier.”

“I see.” Although it’s clear he doesn’t. “Well, as much fun as it might be to continue this game of questions and answers, perhaps you just tell me what it is you do instead?”

Of course. “The House of Deqan has served a single role since the first king of Bohna. Every generation, the eldest son is trained for this role from the time of his birth until the death of his father. Then the role becomes his, no matter which king sits on the throne. When that king dies, the next king receives our oath of service.”

Janik continues to study me but says nothing. He merely motions for me to complete my story.

“When my father died, I took his place and served first King Danik and then Prince Alik. However, with the recent revelationthat you are the actual firstborn, my sworn duty no longer belongs to Alik, but rather the true future king of Bohna.”

“And what, may I ask, is this role you play?”

“Intelligence gatherer.”

Janik studies me for several long moments.

“Is Bannik a real person, or do you play both parts?”

“My brother is real. But he is also unaware of our family’s duty to the crown. Only the eldest son who follows in his father’s footsteps is allowed the knowledge of the role we fill.”

“Where is Bannik now?”

I barely withhold my wince. “My estate.”

Perhaps Janik can read me as well as I read him because he cocks his head. “Is he there by choice?”