Page 175 of Claimed By the Condemned Alien

A second line flickered below it.

K-09 / STATUS UNKNOWN.

Dreven released Kesta’s hand and stepped away from the bench. The movement hurt more than she expected.

“This is not proof of a mate-bond,” she said.

“No.”

“It is proof they studied your biology.”

“I knew that.”

“Not alongside mine.”

His gaze met hers. “No.” The workshop door opened hard enough to strike the wall. Pela entered with two Hallow Camp relatives and Rath’s messenger behind her. The messenger wore red cloth over one shoulder and carried no visible weapon, which only meant the weapon was concealed.

“Red Basin offers a council,” he announced. “Rath will discuss water, evacuation passage, and information regarding human transfers.”

“What price?” Keth asked.

The messenger looked directly at Kesta’s band.

“Presence.”

Dreven moved before anyone else could answer. “Denied.” Kesta turned toward him. “We just found Elara’s route references.”

“You found a trap shaped like information.”

“Those can still contain information.”

“Rath wants leverage over you.”

“And I want what he knows.”

The Hallow relatives stepped closer. One was an older woman named Orin, whose daughter and two grandchildren had lived in the missing camp.

“If Red Basin has seen transfers,” Orin said, “we cannot refuse because your claim is uncomfortable.”

Dreven’s expression hardened. “This is not about discomfort.”

“No,” Orin replied. “It is about whether our dead and missing matter as much as the woman you chose to protect.”

The room went silent. Kesta saw Dreven absorb the accusation without defense. Keth broke the silence. “We send a delegation.”

“Not Kesta,” Dreven said.

“She is the designation Rath asked for.”

“She is not a designation.”

“Then let her answer as a person.”

Dreven’s tail lashed. Kesta stepped between the argument and the messenger. “Tell Rath I will attend a council at neutral ground. I will not enter Red Basin under his law. I will not transfer my claim. I will bring my own guards and leave when I choose.” The messenger smiled faintly. “He expected conditions.”

“Then he can enjoy them.”

After the messenger left, Dreven followed Kesta into the storage corridor.