Free Forsaken by Cyndi Friberg Page A

her. “How could your grandmother possibly know that if she was no longer on the ship?”
    It was a valid question, one she’d wondered herself as she was reading Mimi’s journals. “For several weeks after her release, Mimi could see into her captor’s mind. The ability eventually faded, but she learned the sad news from him.”
    The explanation smoothed his features though his gaze remained watchful, skeptical. “Why was your grandmother released before she’d delivered her offspring. That is highly unusual as well.”
    “She wasn’t a war bride. She was just a plaything. Once she began to suspect that she was pregnant, she acted out in progressively more disruptive ways until the ship’s commander ordered her captor to get rid of her.”
    “Then her captor didn’t realize she was expecting his child?”
    Or children. Raina hesitated. Her mother had an identical twin, but telling him this could endanger her aunt and cousin. Until she knew more, she’d keep her family out of this. “As I said, his motivation was sex not reproduction.”
    “You said Mimi was going to contact the Consortium as soon as the journals were finished. If she truly was human, how did she intend to accomplish interplanetary communications?”
    “I don’t know. She said the answer was in the journals. But to my knowledge, she never figured it out.”
    He paused with another distracted nod then asked, “Each sanctioned historian maintains their journals for a century. Few humans live that long. How many years are detailed in Mimi’s journals?”
    “Eighty-three. But remember Jinnel had already filled many volumes when Mimi took over.”
    His eyes narrowed again as he took a drink and stared off into the distance. “These journals are hardcopy volumes?”
    “Of course. Digital files didn’t exist fifty years ago. Why do you ask?”
    “Digital files didn’t exist on Earth fifty years ago. But why would a Bilarrian have numerous physical books with her when she was kidnapped?”
    Raina tried not to be annoyed by his persistent questions and still each one felt like an accusation. This must be how Mimi felt, year after year, while family members tried their best to punch holes in her stories. “Being a historian was the reason Jinnel was kidnapped. According to Mimi, Jinnel managed to destroy her digital files during the attack, but her captor found the physical journals. And none of the females were given access to technology on the ship, so the physical books became everyone’s focus.”
    “Was Jinnel kidnapped from Bilarri or somewhere else?”
    “She’d been sent to Earth with a group of assistants. Her assignment was to monitor and document any Rodyte interaction with humans. Her assistants investigated rumors and odd developments so Jinnel could record the events accurately.”
    “No wonder her captor wanted her.” Kotto pushed back from the table and stood. His expression tensed and he was suddenly all business. “I need those books, Raina. Where are they?”
    She shook her head, heart thudding in her chest. “I’m not ready to tell you.”
    He crossed his arms, looking imperious and deadly. “Why are you being so stubborn?”
    “Why are you so obsessed?” Feeling vulnerable, even with the table between them, she stood as well. “The journals detail past events. Everything in them has already happened.”
    “My government is corrupt and self-serving. Records only reflect what they’re willing to admit and events are frequently twisted to the advantage of the rich and powerful. An objective accounting of Rodyte interaction with humans could be invaluable to what we’re trying to accomplish.”
    “I’m not even sure I understand what that is,” she cried.
    Rather than soothing her as he had before, he advanced. She backed up and found herself in a corner. The table was on her right, an angled wall on her left. He casually moved her chair out of his way and placed his hand on the wall. “To understand the