12 Chapter 11 Parley

We were in a room full of holograms. There was a massive circular table in the middle and when you look at its surface images are shifting inside. Like a table television. It looked like you could put your hand inside and it would disappear into it. The images inside the table shift in what looked like turquoise water.

I asked the Zakerian what that was. He merely shrugged and went back to his reading so I decided to call it the looking glass.

"Come sit here Aurora." I hear him command as he sits in front of the table. Scowling, I make my way towards him and I proceed to sit in the space between his legs as commanded. My back pressed against his chest as he looked at his star charts. He held a map in front of me. Reading from behind me. Not caring if I could see whatever he was reading. I mean I didn't understand the ancient-looking numbers and letters anyway.

I let my legs dangle, swinging them back and forth as I sat between his legs on his massive chair. Looking blankly at the star chart he was holding in front of us.

I couldn't suppress the yawn that overtook me. Boredom weighs heavily on my shoulders as I looked at the strange-looking letters in front of me.

The Zakerian leans forward and lays a small kiss on the side of my cheek from behind before asking

"Do you want to know what these letters mean?" he points at the intricate-looking letters at the side of the star chart.

I look at it and then shake my head.

"It means 'Azreal.' It's what they call me."

my eyes widened at that. So that was his name?

"Azreal," I say the name rolling off my tongue for the first time. I could feel his smile on the side of my cheek.

"Yes, but you may address me as master. remember your station little one." He says leaving another kiss on my cheek before pulling back. Going back to his reading.

I was fine with just calling him the Zakerian. I didn't want to know his name. It felt too...personal.

I shifted in my seat restlessly. Trying to figure out my next move. My escape. So far, I haven't seen anyone else on this ship except for him and shadow.

This spaceship seems isolated and haunted.

Where were his fellow alien people? Why was he alone?

As time goes by the more confusing everything becomes. Nothing seems to make any sense.

Sensing my agitation he lays his hand over my abdomen possessively. Trying to get me to sit still.

"You have questions." Azreal states. I look up at him. His gaze is still immersed in whatever he was reading.

Yes. where are the others? Why am I here? will you ever let me go? what happened to my sister?

I have endless questions and I know he'll only answer at his leisure.

"What are you reading?" I ask instead. knowing he won't answer any of my questions anyway because I've tried asking him so many times the past few weeks and the response was silence.

He let out a surprised chuckle at my question.

"They have requested a parley. I was wondering if I should take up on that offer."

A parley?

He looks at me with knowing eyes before continuing. "A parley is where two opposing sides or two enemies have a conference to agree on something that would benefit both parties."

"Your enemies want to meet with you for a conference?" I ask surprise lacing my voice.

"Yes, in a manner of speaking but I have a feeling it could be a trap."

"Who are your enemies?" I ask but I'm only met with silence. He doesn't respond. Was he talking about my people? The humans? do they want a truce?

"What do you suggest I do Aurora?" He questions looking at me expectantly. I was truly surprised that he asked me at all.

If he meets with these people it might give me an opening to escape. Plus, we'll be away from all this Ice for once. I was getting tired of the frigid-looking Ice mountains.

"Go for it. You have nothing to lose right?" I say hoping I sound natural and that my hidden intentions aren't showing. He can read me so well which is why it's so difficult for me to best him.

I feel his gaze on me, burning through the side of my skull. His hand tightened around my abdomen just a fraction.

"I suppose." He responds after a long pause.