Orik rushed to Niki's home, cutting through yards and bushes, trying to get to Niki as quickly as possible. He knew that what he was told to tell her was important. He hoped that Rask wasn't there. He didn't want her to tell her mate what Aleigha had said. All Jada had told him was that it was important for only Niki to hear and no one else. Rask was acting strange anyway, and Orik didn't think he could be trusted.

Stopping at her dwelling, he pressed the call button. Seconds later, the door slid open, and Niki stood looking at him. She studied his face with concern before she spoke.

"Are you okay, Orik?" Niki asked, concerned. His face was still pale, his eyes puffy. She knew about what happened to Jada and her unborn baby. It was fortunate that she wasn't in that position.

Ignoring her question, he peered through the open door. "Is Rask here?" he asked quickly. He knew if he were, he would have to think of a reason for being there.

"No. He's at the east gate with Merrick and Keirn. Why?" she asked. She studied him closely. She could tell that he wanted to say something, but hadn't said it yet.

He paused for a second, hoping that she would understand the situation. "I don't trust Rask with this information," he said quietly. "He's been acting strangely. So have Merrick and Keirn. I don't think you should trust them, either. None of them. I know Rask is your mate, but you need to understand because I know your sister's life may depend on it."

Niki's face paled. "What is it?" she asked in a whisper. Her voice was strained. She needed to hear what Orik had to say.

"Your sister told me to remind you about Houdini. She said she needed his methods," Orik told her. "I don't know what that means, but I do know it's a secret message that you would understand. Jada told me to make sure no one heard me tell you because it would get both of them killed."

Niki's face had gone completely pale. It was nearly a bright white. "I know what it means. I know exactly what she needs." She whispered in a panic. "Tell no one that name. If one of your kind or the Kreq asks a human who Houdini is, then it will get my sister and Jada killed. Promise me you won't repeat what my sister told you to tell me. Promise me." She was in a panic, pleading for him not to repeat it.

"You have my oath. I will not repeat it. If anyone asks you why I was here, tell them I was looking for Rask. In fact, tell him I was looking for him. I will search for him now. I will think of a reason before I actually find him," he said quietly, then turned and walked away, leaving Niki, still pale, standing at her door.

He knew he needed to think of a reason for his visit in case he was seen. He needed an excuse to talk to Rask. He hoped he had time to come up with a reason before he found him.

Looking up, it appeared that he didn't have to go searching for him because Rask was walking toward him. He waved to get his attention. "Rask! I was looking for you!" he called. Orik then waited for him to approach before continuing. "I told your mate to let you know I was looking for you. I was wondering, since you are working with the isolation dorm, if you knew when the humans would be released. I am anxious to get my mate back," he explained.

Rask shrugged, his demeanor uncaring, a hint of disgust in his tone. "That's Council Leader Vorik's call. I can only keep them there until he orders their release. I believe he is in the council chambers if you wish to ask him."

"I do," he admitted. "Thank you. I will go speak to him now."

Rask nodded and headed toward his dwelling. Orik rushed toward the council chambers to speak with Council Leader Vorik. It wasn't lost on him the choice of words Rask used. 'I can only keep them there until he orders their release.' The phrase played repeatedly in his head. Then the disgust in his tone. Then it suddenly hit him, Rask wanted to keep them there as long as possible. He was right not to trust him. He was sure that Merrick and Keirn were the same. He couldn't trust them either. Regardless, he wasn't going to take any chances. He was going to trust Niki, and that was all for the time being. It was safer that way. It appeared that his mate's and Aleigha's lives hung in the balance.

When he arrived at the council chambers, he pressed the call button. The doors slid smoothly open. Council Leader Vorik was sitting at the long table, looking at a file on the screen.

"Sir?" Orik asked, hoping he wouldn't be angry for being interrupted.

Council Leader Vorik ushered him inside. "Come in," he stated, not even looking up from his screen.

Orik stood facing his leader, waiting for him to address him.

After a few moments, Council Leader Vorik looked up. "What can I do for you, Orik?" he asked.

Orik gave the gesture of respect before speaking. "My mate is in the isolation dorm, sir. She is grieving and needs me. I wanted to know when the humans would be released. The residue is no longer in them. It hasn't been found anywhere in the dome. I wanted to take her home."

"It isn't time yet," Council Leader Vorik stated evenly. His demeanor had changed instantly with his request. "If and when they are released, Jada and Aleigha will not be among them."

Orik could feel the blood draining from his face. "May I ask why, sir?" he asked carefully. "They have done nothing wrong."

"When the humans are released, Jada and Aleigha will go to the cells," he stated coldly, not bothering to tell him why.

Without saying anything, Orik turned and left, heading for his own dwelling. He didn't know why the two girls would be arrested. He knew for a fact that they didn't do anything wrong to be arrested and sent to the prison cells. Something was going on that he didn't know about. Something that could prove deadly to his mate and her dearest friend. He had to find a way to help them. He hoped that what he was told to tell Niki was the key to getting her out.

*** *** ***

Council Leader Vorik watched Orik leave. He knew Orik was upset. He would be, too, if it were Alice.

Jada had lost her fetus because of an order he had given. She would want blood. He had no choice but to put her in the cells. He didn't want to fight with her; as for Aleigha, the situation was different.

There was talk of inappropriate relations between him and the youngest Walker sister. Even Merrick believed it.

If Aleigha were found guilty, it could get her executed. He had to show she meant nothing to him in order to save her life. There was no choice. She would die if he didn't. He was in a bind on all accounts. Alice had even looked up details of inappropriate relations with someone who wasn't their mate.

The bond would be severed for both parties. Alice's bond was firmly in place. So was his to her. Because of that, there was no evidence of inappropriate relations. The problem was that Merrick's bond had weakened. Alice found a reason for that, too. They had been away from each other for too long. Ramesians needed to be in frequent contact with their mates to keep the bond strong. They had been separated far too long, which weakened the bond.

Alice explained the different bonds in human society. One of them is a familiar bond. The bond of a family, which, in many cases, frequently spreads to friends who are not blood-related. Alice had said that Aleigha was like a sister. The familiar bond was strong, but it wasn't inappropriate for mates, which was why the mate bond was still intact.

Vorik understood the different bonds. Many of his people didn't. He needed to find a way to make sure that nothing happened to the two girls. Jada would go with her, not just to keep her from trying to kill him but also to give Aleigha support. It was all he could think of to do to help them.

Sighing, Vorik picked up his comm link and called Seeran. "Release the humans in the isolation dome. Take Aleigha and Jada to the cells." He ordered reluctantly.

There was a long pause of complete silence before Seeran finally spoke. "Yes, sir."

Council Leader Vorik could tell that Seeran did not like the order he was given.

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