I couldn’t consciously explain how I broke encryption. Encrypted data looked like puzzle pieces to my mind’s eye and I intrinsically knew how to put them together. When I did, a void revealed the key and the encryption unlocked.
For most encryption, the entire process took seconds. For encryption I’d seen before, I could do it without thought.
This encryption was far trickier.
The puzzle pieces slid around my mental landscape like nothing I’d seen before. Pain spiked behind my left eye but I refused to give up. Finally, finally I pinned the pieces in place and revealed the key. The encryption unlocked, revealing a second layer of encryption, one I knew well because it came from my own House.
The message unlocked.
Go.
Why would someone encrypt a one-word message in one of the most complex encryption schemes I’d ever seen? Was it a test?
We were nearly to the transport when the sound of shattering glass broke through my distraction. I didn’t have time to look around for the source of the sound before Ian tackled me to the ground and shoved me against the bulk of the transport. He shielded my body with his, completely blocking my view.
I tried to push him aside but it was like trying to move a mountain. “What’s going on?”
“Shots fired at Bright. I need an armored transport now. Team Two, sweep the area,” Ian shouted into his com.
The transport window half a meter over our heads shattered in an explosion of glass.
“Fuck,” Ian growled. “We’re too exposed.”
“I can shoot,” I said. “I have a blaster.”
He shifted enough to meet my gaze. His eyes blazed with icy blue fury. “You will do no such thing,” he said. “You will stay down and let me do my job. I will protect you.”
“But—”
“No. End of discussion.”
My temper woke, but I was smart enough to follow an order that was meant for my own good. Someone was shooting at me. On Earth, supposedly the safest place in the ’verse. The Royal Consortium Defense Force, or RCDF, was the group tasked with maintaining the peace. They must be having a collective aneurysm right now.
If not now, then they would be when Father brought the fury of House von Hasenberg down on them. As patriarch of one of the three High Houses, Albrecht von Hasenberg was one of the most powerful people in the ’verse. When he wasn’t happy, heads rolled—sometimes literally.
“Am I the only target? Are my brothers and sisters okay?” I asked.
Ian refused to answer, which sent my worry spinning out of control. I mentally reached for the messages flying through the air, trying to find my family’s familiar com signature.
The headache slammed into me with the force of a freighter. I’d overextended myself with the encryption. Black spots danced in my vision, and I had to let the search go or risk passing out. What little food I’d managed to eat soured in my stomach.
“Where is my transport?” Ian yelled. “And where the fuck is RCDF?”
Since I couldn’t answer either question, I figured he must be talking to someone on the other end of his com.
Ian popped his head up to look through the shattered transport window. It took all of my willpower not to drag him back to safety. He ducked back down just as another blaster bolt slammed into the door, centimeters from his head.
“Shooter is in the twenty-story building west of House Chan,” Ian said. “Top third.”
A heavy troop transport settled next to us. The doors opened and fully armored RCDF soldiers streamed out. They hunkered down behind our transport, but no more shots were fired. Perhaps the shooter had fled now that backup had arrived.
“It’s about time,” Ian snarled. He kept a hand on my shoulder so I couldn’t sit up.
“Lady Bianca, are you well?” the soldier closest to me asked.
Only years of strict training kept me from offering my true thoughts on the stupidity of that question. “Catch the shooter and I’ll be better,” I said.
“We’re working on it, my lady,” he said.
“Let’s get you into the transport,” Ian said. “Can you crawl in that dress?”
“I’ll make it work,” I said.
“Stay low,” Ian cautioned, as if he thought I planned to stand and waltz to the vehicle.
I rolled over onto my belly. I tucked my toes, planted my hands, and pushed up just enough for the front of my body to clear the ground. My arms protested but held—barely. I’d only recently started going to the gym again, but I’d rather be shot than admit how out of shape I was to Ian Bishop.
I slid one leg forward, dragging the bottom of my dress up as I did. I reached forward, then pushed off with my leg, like I was climbing a wall. I repeated the motion on the other side and crawled forward on my hands and toes.
My progress was slow but steady. The dress hampered me, and I envied how easily Ian crawled in his tuxedo. To his credit, he didn’t try to rush me, he just kept pace beside me.
When we reached the troop transport, Ian pushed himself up into a crouch then picked me up and swung me into the vehicle in one smooth motion. His easy strength stole my breath, but he took my silence as offense.
“You can yell at me later,” he said as he climbed inside. “For now, stay on the floor. The windows are reinforced, but the floor is safer.” He slammed the transport door closed, then swiped his right arm over the chip reader. “Take us to House von Hasenberg’s private entrance.”
The transport lifted off. I closed my eyes and didn’t try to get up. My head felt like I’d gone several rounds with my old self-defense tutor, and that lady had packed a mean right cross.
“Are you injured?” Ian asked, his voice laced with concern.
“No,” I said. It sounded like a lie, mostly because it was a lie. I worked on pulling my tattered public mask back on. Once I was certain I could maintain the facade, I opened my eyes and met Ian’s gaze. My voice was cool when I asked, “Are my siblings okay?”
Ian glanced away. “As far as I know,” he hedged.
“Who?” I demanded as I sat up. My head swam, but I refused to show weakness. When Ian didn’t answer, I asked again, my voice knife-sharp.
I had an older brother and sister, a twin brother who was younger by thirteen minutes, and two younger sisters. We were all close despite our parents’ attempts to drive us apart. If any of my siblings were hurt, the rest of us would rain hell and damnation on whoever was stupid enough to do it.
“I haven’t heard from Lord Ferdinand’s team yet,” Ian admitted.
Ferdinand was my oldest brother and heir to House von Hasenberg. He had done his best to shield the rest of us from the worst of Father’s fury, and although he hadn’t always been successful, we adored him for it.
I pulled out my com and checked our sibling group channel. Everyone except Ferdinand and Ada had checked in. Ada was off-planet and wouldn’t get the messages for some time, so I wasn’t worried about her.
I let the others know I was okay and the channel blew up with questions. No one had heard anything from our oldest brother and worry lurked behind every message.
“I’m assuming you have additional units en route to Ferdinand’s location?” I asked Ian.
His jaw tightened. “Yes, Lady von Hasenberg.”
The title gave away his irritation with me for questioning his ability to do his job, and I smiled internally.
“Where was Ferdinand tonight?” I asked.
“He had a private dinner scheduled in the Yamado quarter,” Ian said.
“With whom?”
“I am not at liberty to say,” Ian said. His tone said he wouldn’t budge, so I turned my questioning elsewhere.
“Care to explain how someone was able to shoot at me tonight?” I asked.
“I intend to find out,” he said with a scowl. “Do you know of anyone who wants you dead?”
I raised an eyebrow. “No, Director Bishop, I can’t think of a single soul,” I said sweetly. Ask a stupid question . . .
He sighed. “Anyone in particular?”
That was a harder question. No one came to mind, but that didn’t mean no one wanted me dead. I was the daughter of a High House and suspected of killing my husband. Before that, I’d publicly worked for Father, gathering information on our rivals using whatever means necessary. The list of people who wanted me dead was far longer than the list of people who preferred me alive.
“I haven’t had any active threats,” I said at last. “And despite what you and Father think, I don’t think House Rockhurst is stupid enough to bring the war to Earth.”
“You’d be surprised,” he said darkly.
I wouldn’t, actually. I’d seen the same data he had, and I saw nothing that indicated a Rockhurst attack was imminent. Of course, I hadn’t seen anything that indicated any attack was likely, so someone was playing their cards very close to their chest.
“Are you sure they weren’t shooting at you?” I asked. It would make sense because as the head of House security, he would be the first person tracking Ferdinand.
Ian shook his head. “The shooter had a clear shot at me from the time we stepped outside, but he only took the shot when you moved slightly ahead of me. He misjudged your speed and shot in front of you. You were the target.”
I swallowed. It wasn’t the first time I’d had a close brush with death and it probably wouldn’t be the last. But it never got any easier.
The transport landed. Ian waited a second, then slid the door open. House von Hasenberg glowed like the sun. Floodlights turned night into day and soldiers patrolled outside the walls.
“Expecting another attack?” I asked.
“Someone is welcome to try,” he growled.
He bent over to pick me up but I stopped him with a hand on his chest. Firm muscle hid under the fine fabric of his suit. He was so close that I could see the darker blue ring around the outside of his irises.
“You cannot carry me,” I said, my voice quiet but adamant. “Weakness is a vulnerability. I’d rather not become a target for every moron with a grudge if you don’t mind.”
He paused for a long second then nodded. “I will assist you out,” he said.
Ian stepped out of the transport and then offered me his hand. When I grabbed it, he pulled me out and helped me stand. Vertical, my head rang like a gong. My dress was a little the worse for wear, but it still covered me, so I ignored the damage and pretended all was well. I excelled at pretense.
“Steady?” Ian asked under his breath.
Rather than answering, I inclined my head and dropped his hand. I walked to the door without so much as a wobble, although the effort had cost me. I swiped my arm over the reader and the door unlocked.
Ian pulled the door open for me, and I swept inside. “Contact me as soon as you know anything about Ferdinand,” I tossed over my shoulder.
After the door clicked closed, he caught up to me and pulled me to a stop. “You should see a doctor,” he said.
Over my dead body. And if I had it my way, not even then. I didn’t say it aloud, but some of the sentiment must’ve leaked through in my expression because Ian frowned.
“I am fine,” I said. “I will be better when Ferdinand is safe at home, so I suggest you get to it.” I sank enough dismissive condescension into that sentence to founder a battle cruiser.
Ian stiffened and his face smoothed into a polite mask. He bowed slightly. “As you wish, Lady von Hasenberg,” he said. “Do not leave the House without notifying me.” He turned and stalked down the hallway toward his office.
Once he was out of sight, I breathed a silent sigh of relief. Ian could be damned persistent when he set his mind to it, but I’d found that just the right tone would cause him to storm away in a fury. And like it or not, I’d had plenty of practice being a condescending bitch thanks to my status as daughter of a High House.
I headed for the family wing, unsurprised to see guards posted along the hallway and outside my suite. Thanks to some careful nudging on my part, my suite had turned into the gathering spot for sibling meetings. It worked well because these days I was the only sibling who consistently stayed on Earth. Everyone else was usually off on some errand for the House. When they were home, my brothers and sisters had access to come and go from my suite as they pleased. As a bonus, the additional shielding in my room meant it took longer for my headache to worsen.
Catarina and Benedict were waiting for me. Sitting next to each other, no one would guess they were siblings. Catarina had Mother’s dark hair and golden skin. Only she and Ada had been lucky enough to take after Mother. The rest of us shared Father’s lighter hair and ruddy skin.
Benedict, my twin, jumped to his feet. Even with my heels, Benedict towered over me. I often claimed that he’d stolen all of my height because he was the tallest of all of my brothers and sisters.
“What happened?” he asked. He pulled me into a hug before I could answer.
“Someone shot at me outside House Chan,” I murmured into his chest. The reality sank in as I crashed from the adrenaline high. Someone had shot at me. On Earth.
A rock settled in the pit of my stomach. This was the first time someone had tried to kill me on Earth. The world shifted as my one sanctuary crumbled to dust.
“Was the shooter caught?” Catarina asked.
Benedict pushed me toward the sofa. “Sit, I’ll get you a drink,” he said.
I sat. The adrenaline crash had made me shaky and nauseated. “I don’t know if the shooter was caught,” I said. “Director Bishop ordered RCDF troops to the location, but they were late. Have either of you heard from Ferdinand?”
“No,” they said in unison.
“I pinged his com with an emergency message, but he didn’t respond,” Catarina said.
Worry pressed on my chest. It was unlike our serious older brother to fail to respond to an emergency, no matter what he was doing.
“Do you think it was Rockhurst?” Benedict asked. He handed me a martini and I took a grateful sip.
“Are they that stupid?” Catarina asked. Because she was the baby of the family it was all too easy to forget that she was a von Hasenberg in her own right. A razor-sharp mind hid behind her innocent face.
“I don’t think so,” I said, “but Director Bishop doesn’t agree.” I paused for a second, then clarified, “Well, I don’t think Lady Rockhurst is that stupid, but who knows about her children.”
Richard Rockhurst certainly hadn’t shown the best judgment when he had decided to go after Ada. My younger sister was far too clever for him.
“I was under the impression that House Rockhurst went on lockdown after Richard’s stunts,” Catarina said. “Lady Rockhurst was livid that he lost one of their prototype ships and forced them into premature war.”
“I’ve heard the same,” Benedict said. “But holding the von Hasenberg heir could swing the war in their favor if she thought she could get away with it.”
“Yes, but if she’s caught, then she has to face the RCDF as well as House Yamado and the lower houses,” I said. “It’s a risky move for potentially little reward. House von Hasenberg has six children. Father is ruthless enough to write one off, even if Ferdinand is his favorite. You know it, I know it, and Lady Rockhurst certainly knows it.”
Benedict and Catarina nodded. Father would fight to get Ferdinand back because anything else made the House look weak. But if he decided it was a lost cause, he would cut our brother loose.
The suite door opened and our oldest sister, Hannah, stormed in. Her pale blue gown flattered her complexion but did nothing to hide the thunderclouds in her expression.
She flopped down next to me, stole my martini, and drained the glass. “Sorry I’m late,” she said. “I left a dinner party in my honor. Pierre tried to stop me. He is furious,” she said with grim satisfaction.
Pierre was Hannah’s husband. Much like my own marriage, Father had arranged everything and left Hannah no choice. It was not a happy match. Now she lived to infuriate the man who had bought his way into our House.
“What do we know?” Hannah asked.
Benedict got her up to speed. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long because we didn’t have much to go on.
“So why Bianca and Ferdinand and not the rest of us?” Hannah asked.
“Perhaps they’ve heard that Bianca has a legion of spies,” Catarina said before I could answer.
Hannah and Benedict turned to me in unison. “Do tell,” Hannah drawled.
Once again Cat jumped in before I could speak. She told them about our morning with relish. It wasn’t too often that our baby sister got the drop on one of us, so she enjoyed their surprise.
“Had you heard anything about an attack?” Benedict asked.
“No, nothing,” I said. I didn’t mention the message I had decrypted. That would lead to more questions than I could answer.
No one knew that I could break encryption. Gregory had been as paranoid as he was brilliant, and as far as I could tell, he had kept his research secret. His lab—and our House—had been on a tiny, distant planet that wasn’t exactly a tourist destination. His family had long since moved away, but Gregory had kept the family seat because he liked the isolation. And the lack of prying eyes.
It was much more likely that I was a target because someone knew I dealt in information.
“Director Bishop said Ferdinand was in the Yamado quarter at a private dinner. He wouldn’t say with whom,” I said, “but I intend to find out.”
My siblings stayed for a little while longer, then began to trickle out. Hannah was the last to leave. She stopped me before I opened the door for her. Her expression was serious.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“If anything happens to Ferdinand,” she said slowly, “I plan to abdicate my place in line. I refuse to become heir.”
I blinked at her, thrown. If something happened to Ferdinand, and then Hannah abdicated, I would be next in line.
I did not want to be next in line. I barely managed my current responsibilities.
“Why?” I finally managed to ask.
“Pierre,” she said shortly. “I refuse to give that bastard any more power, over me or anyone else.” Fury darkened her face. “Do you know what he said when I told him about the attack on you and that Ferdinand was missing? He made a joke about how his lot is improving now that he’s married to the heir. He’s lucky I didn’t punch him in front of all of his so-called friends.”
She took a deep breath and shook her head. “I have every confidence we’ll find Ferdinand, but I wanted you to be prepared, just in case. Please don’t tell anyone else.”
“Does Ferdinand know?”
“Yes, we’ve discussed it.”
“Do you want me to do something about Pierre?” I asked seriously.
She pulled me into a hug. “No, but I appreciate the offer. I’ve got it under control.”
I thought about her words long after she left.